Ace Nigerian comedian Alibaba has openly voiced his support for polygamy, explaining why he believes “a man should have multiple wives.”
Speaking during a preview of an upcoming episode of The Clarity Zone podcast, the 60-year-old entertainer — born Atunyota Alleluya Akpobome — discussed various social and cultural reasons polygamy continues to exist, noting that in some cases, wives themselves initiate or support the practice.
According to Alibaba, some women prefer their husbands to marry additional wives rather than maintain secret mistresses, and in some instances, they even help select the new partners. He also referenced traditional customs surrounding widows as another reason polygamy endures in certain societies.
“Some people feel that if a man has only one wife, she might be difficult to control. But if she knows he has more than one, she might calm down because she knows misbehavior could have consequences,” Alibaba said.
“I actually know of a woman in Ibadan who encouraged her husband to be polygamous. Many women back then would even find young girls for their husbands so they wouldn’t take concubines.
In some families, when a man dies and leaves behind a young widow with children, his brothers may be asked to marry her to ensure she and the children are cared for — and that’s another cause of polygamy.”
Alibaba added that while some people condemn the practice, many of those same critics often end up having children outside wedlock.
When asked directly whether he supports polygamy, the veteran comedian — who has been married to his wife Mary since 2006 — replied without hesitation: “Yes, I do.”
The couple welcomed triplets in April 2024 and now share five children together.
