What motivated you to marry three wives on the same day?
I am Tersugh Aondona, a 26-year-old farmer from Jato-Aka, Kwande Local Government Area of Benue State. My main focus is rice, yam, and cassava cultivation. I am the man who married three wives on January 31, 2024. It has always been in my plan to have multiple wives, stemming from my desire for many children and the need for help on my expansive farm. Before marrying them, I explained to each of the women that I needed their assistance on my farm, which is too large for me to manage alone.
What made you decide to marry three wives on the same day?
I chose to marry them on the same day because I noticed that it was challenging to marry another woman after being married to one already. It often leads to conflicts. My brother has been facing the issue of not being able to marry another woman after marrying his wife, who always opposes the idea. I noticed that if I married them one after the other, there would be conflicts among them, which might result in enmity, and there wouldn’t be peace at home and they would hardly have cordial relationships. Therefore, I decided to marry the three of them at once to maintain peace and they agreed to have the wedding on the same day.
However, if I notice that they want to misbehave, I will remind them of the promise they made when we met, and I will ask them why they agreed to be in such a relationship from the beginning if they knew they couldn’t maintain the peace.
Can you share your annual earnings from the farm produce?
I prefer not to disclose specific figures, but if my rice harvest doesn’t go successfully, I make a profit of N2m. However, if it does well, I can make over N5m from rice alone; meanwhile, I still have cassava and yam farms, but let me not talk about those.
How do you manage to meet your family’s needs in this challenging economy?
We don’t buy food at home; we produce everything we eat ourselves.
Are you planning to marry more wives?
Yes, I had planned to marry three more wives to make a total of six, but the three wives at home invited me to a meeting and pleaded with me not to marry another wife. They assured me that they would do whatever I needed them to do, and we came to an agreement and I aborted the plan. They have been very helpful on the farm, and they are following my instructions without question. Because of this, I have no desire to marry another wife.
What is your goal in terms of the number of children you want to have?
I don’t plan on having many children. If I have 35 children, I will be satisfied. I want to have children in various professions, including lawyers, doctors, pastors, soldiers, police officers, farmers, and more. That’s the kind of family I aim to build.
How did you meet each of your wives, and what qualities attracted you to them individually?
My first wife, who is 21 years old and hails from Taraba State, crossed paths with me in Edo State, while we were both selling our farm produce. We began the relationship, and I eventually proposed marriage to her since we both have agricultural backgrounds. I explained my desire to have three wives simultaneously and the reason behind it, and she agreed with me. My second wife, also 21, from Benue State, was introduced to me by my sister. I was delighted by the positive things my sister said about her; I approached her and she reciprocated my feelings. I disclosed my intention to have multiple wives, to which she responded that as long as I loved her, she was satisfied with it.
When I visited my friend in the Gboko Local Government Area of Benue State, I met a 23-year-old woman. I expressed my interest in her and she agreed to be with me despite my passion to marry three wives.
What criteria did you use to select your wives’ positions?
To determine the position of each wife, I gathered all three women together and asked them to choose a man who would take them home with a motorcycle; I informed them that the first person to reach my house would be the first wife, and the second person to arrive would be the second wife. We all agreed upon this criterion for positioning.
Did your wives have prior knowledge of each other before getting married to you?
No, they did not have any knowledge of each other. They knew each other during a formal introduction that I arranged before the wedding day.
What were the responses from the families of your wives?
Their parents were also aware of the situation. I explained my farming ventures and my intention to marry their daughters, and they all agreed after I met their requirements. However, I don’t recall the exact amount I spent because it was a significant amount. Nevertheless, I do remember giving my first wife’s parents N350,000, among other things. I remember giving my second wife’s parents N300,000 and some other gifts. Additionally, the amount I gave to my third wife’s parents was more than that of her colleagues, as she is better educated than the others. Her parents received almost N500,000.
How do you manage the financial responsibilities of supporting three wives?
I am aware of their needs and always make provisions for them before they ask. For example, my third wife loves rice so much that she doesn’t feel satisfied if she doesn’t eat rice even though she has eaten every other food. If they need money, I provide it if it’s available. They all understand that I give them whatever I have, and they accept it happily.
How do you view your roles and responsibilities as a husband to three wives?
We all live together in my house, but each of them has their room. I spent one week with each of them, and after the cycle, I won’t rest; I will start again with my first wife.
Looking ahead, what are your hopes and aspirations for your family and relationships?
I hope to have 35 children so that I can fulfil my wish of having all professions represented in my family. For instance, I envision my first child becoming a pastor and the second becoming a doctor. I aim to give my children their chosen professions as my other wives give birth. Additionally, I aspire for my wives and me to become seasoned agriculturalists, and produce food for the nation.
Source: PUNCH
