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Nigerian Man With 86 Wives

I stumbled on an article on BBC online, describing the life of Mohammed Bello Abubakar, 84 year old man with 86 wives and 170 children. I was speechless.
How can so many women agree to marry such a man?

He insists on religious teachings as the reason to get entangled in such a mess.

You can read full article here: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7547148.stm

Tags: many, polygamy, wives, women

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by SAFIYA on August 26, 2008 at 9:56am: The man is out of his mind and the women that agreed to marry him are also out of their minds. Religion has not got to do with this, it is ignorance. In islam, a man is not allowed to marry more than four wives. A muslim can marry up to four wives as long as they treat them equally. marrying up to 86 wives! religion teaching is not a reason at all! he should look for a better reason.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Chris Osiyi on August 27, 2008 at 6:57pm: Victoria & Safiya,

I agree with both of you. It is insane for one individual to marry
that many wives.

Chris; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Anthony Obeto on August 30, 2008 at 5:58am: As his the practise with our fore-fathers who got married to so many women and had so much
children, one reason was always given to such act,which is Farming.It was the believe that a
large family will make a big farm and have more food on their table.
But for such an islmic scholar to attribute his reason to religion is unbelievable.What a pity for
such women who will fall to such a man.Anyway,one man's meal is another man's poison.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Chris Osiyi on August 31, 2008 at 7:19pm: I just read another headline on Nigerian Tribune ( online) that Mohammed reportedly agreed to divorce 82 of the wives ( I guess that should then leave him with 4 ). What then becomes of the 82 wives that will be left without husbands? Where do they go? Will the government offer any form of assistance to the wives and their kids? How do we prevent such an occurrence in the future?; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Alvin Adewunmi on October 12, 2008 at 7:06pm: The man with 86 wifes, the only rational thing I can think of is the man is either very rich or very handsome until all these women are so attracted to him. Is he so good looking? We must all remain humble. Love is blind sometimes.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Chris Osiyi on October 12, 2008 at 7:11pm: The man is not rich and he is not good looking either.

You can access the story here: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7547148.stm; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by abumohsat on October 28, 2008 at 10:58am: The poor and urgly man with eighty six wives should be supported for daring to aquire these problem in a period when many men are afraid to even pick one in a time like this.Considering the prophecy in the book of Isaiah 4:1. He is doing these women a great favour.

Chris Osiyi said:
The man is not rich and he is not good looking either.

You can access the story here: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7547148.stm; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Dr. B.J OJO on November 12, 2008 at 9:51am: Ordinarily, I will not want to blame the man for what he has done, rather I will want to say what were those accusing him now looking at when he was marrying all the women? What were the women themselves looking at? Well a recent development in Minna over the issue is that the women themselves were spoiling for a showdown with the government for daring to detain their sweetheart. Why then do we pity them. They have beaten the drum, let them dance to it. Chikena.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Dr. B.J OJO on November 13, 2008 at 3:33am: Victoria, I agree with you that they deserve our pity. But my argument is that we should learn to prevent problems and not looking for cure when the damage is already done. I hope we take alesson there.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by JIMI OGUNDERE on November 20, 2008 at 5:09pm: its interesting reading all the comments about this man with 86 wives, generally people are too quick to point finger or blame. I do not know the cultural situation at the village in question. But my main point is why now when the number of wives reach this figure do we get to hear about it.

please dont get me wrong i partly agree with comments made by Vicki and Dr.B.J OJO but no details how explanation was given to how this came about. Although not as high number as this man but in some culture some women authomatically becomes wives of the living relative (i.e brother of the deceaced husband) and becoming the wife does not necessarily mean the have sexual relationships. in most cases it means the responsibilities of looking after the woman and her children falls to that relative. So i think we need more information before we start to pass judgements; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by bukky on December 5, 2008 at 9:55am: yes, I agree with you Jimi, it will be good if we get more information on how this came about before judging.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by onyeokwelume paul on January 4, 2009 at 2:30am: This man called Mohammed Bello Abubakar , must be kill , before his must pay some compacaition to each of the woman. from onyeokwelume; ▶ Reply to This