Veteran Nigerian comedian Atunyota Alleluya Akpobome, popularly known as Alibaba, has waded into the contentious debate surrounding polygamy, offering a spirited defense of the practice rooted in what he describes as practical considerations and deep cultural traditions.
In a wide-ranging interview with media personality Nedu, the 59-year-old entertainment pioneer—often credited as the father of modern stand-up comedy in Nigeria—laid out arguments that have since sparked considerable discussion across social media platforms and within family circles nationwide.
At the heart of Alibaba’s position is a controversial claim about marital dynamics and power balance within households. The comedian suggested that polygamy serves as a mechanism for maintaining domestic equilibrium, arguing that the presence of multiple wives creates a competitive environment that moderates behavior.
“Some people feel if it’s only one wife, you may not be able to control the wife,” Alibaba stated candidly. “But if the wife knows that you have more than one, she will calm down because she knows that if she misbehaves, another person is available.”
This assertion—that wives would modify their conduct when aware of co-wives—reflects a traditional perspective on marriage that many modern observers find deeply problematic, viewing it through a lens of power dynamics rather than partnership.
Moving beyond contemporary debates, Alibaba anchored his arguments in historical practices, particularly drawing from Yoruba traditions in southwestern Nigeria. He cited examples from Ibadan, one of Nigeria’s largest cities and a significant cultural center, where women themselves allegedly participated in facilitating polygamous arrangements.
According to the comedian, some women in previous generations would actively encourage their husbands to take additional wives as a strategic move to prevent extramarital affairs that might destabilize the family unit.
“I actually know of a woman in Ibadan who encouraged her husband to be a polygamist,” Alibaba recounted. “Most of them back then would marry a young girl and gift her to the husband because they didn’t want the man to have concubines.”
This practice, he explained, represented a calculated choice by first wives to maintain some measure of control and legitimacy within the household structure, rather than facing the uncertainty and social stigma associated with clandestine relationships.
Alibaba also highlighted the levirate marriage tradition—a custom found across various African societies—where a deceased man’s brother would marry his widow, particularly when young children were involved. This practice, he argued, served essential social welfare functions in communities lacking formal safety nets.
“Widows with young children were sometimes married to a brother-in-law to ensure the children were cared for,” he noted, presenting this as evidence of polygamy’s role in providing economic security and social stability in traditional settings.
Despite his defense of the practice, Alibaba demonstrated awareness of the divisive nature of his views. He concluded his remarks by acknowledging the existence of opposing viewpoints while maintaining his position.
“Not everyone agrees with polygamy,” he conceded, “but I believe that in certain contexts, it remains a functional and culturally relevant practice.”
Alibaba’s comments arrive at a moment of ongoing tension between traditional practices and evolving social norms across Nigeria and the African continent more broadly. While polygamy remains legal under Islamic and customary law in Nigeria, it exists alongside constitutional provisions for monogamous civil marriages, creating a complex legal and social landscape.
Critics of polygamy point to concerns about gender inequality, the emotional and psychological toll on women and children, resource distribution challenges, and the inherent power imbalances in such arrangements. Women’s rights advocates have particularly challenged narratives that frame polygamy as beneficial to women, arguing instead that such systems often subordinate women’s autonomy to patriarchal structures.
Supporters, meanwhile, emphasize religious and cultural rights, pointing to polygamy’s long history across multiple civilizations and its continued practice in various forms worldwide.
As Nigeria continues to navigate the intersection of tradition and modernity, voices like Alibaba’s ensure that conversations about marriage, family structure, and cultural identity remain firmly in the public discourse—even when those conversations prove uncomfortable or divisive.
The comedian’s entertainment empire and respected status mean his views carry weight beyond mere celebrity opinion, contributing to ongoing national conversations about the shape of Nigerian society in the 21st century.
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
Veteran comedian Alibaba has publicly defended polygamy as a culturally relevant practice in Nigeria, arguing it promotes household stability and served important social functions historically.
His controversial stance—that multiple wives create behavioral “balance” and that women historically encouraged the practice to prevent infidelity—has reignited debate about traditional values versus modern gender equality.
While acknowledging divided opinions, Alibaba maintains that polygamy remains functional in certain contexts, highlighting the ongoing tension between cultural tradition and contemporary views on marriage and women’s rights in Nigerian society.
