The Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum, has expressed alarm over the increasing prevalence of polygamy among internally displaced persons (IDPs) in camps across the state, calling for urgent intervention from religious leaders, parents, and the government.
In a viral video that has sparked widespread discussions, the governor revealed a striking example of this trend. He recounted the story of a man who arrived at an IDP camp in 2012 with one wife but has since taken three more wives within the camp.
“In one of the IDP camps here in Borno State, there is one person I know that came with just one wife into the camp in 2012 but now has four wives. He added three more wives inside the IDP camp,” Zulum stated.
The governor criticized religious leaders and politicians for their silence on such social issues, suggesting that fear of losing voter support often discourages them from addressing such practices.
“He can’t feed. But which cleric is speaking against it in their sermons or which politician speaks against it? They will say if we speak against them, they will not vote for us. What if they don’t vote for you?” Zulum queried.
He also recalled the backlash faced by former Emir of Kano, Alhaji Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, when he spoke out against unchecked polygamy. “There was no kind of insult that Nigerians didn’t rain on him,” Zulum remarked.
The governor emphasized the teachings of the Qur’an, highlighting the divine instruction against marrying multiple wives without sufficient resources to provide for them.
“God speaks about marrying in the holy Qur’an that if you don’t have resources, you shouldn’t marry many wives,” he said.
Zulum further urged collaboration among clerics, parents, and government authorities to address other societal issues, including street begging. He called on clerics to develop innovative strategies and for parents to take responsibility for their actions.
“Let clerics come up with ideas and strategies on how to reduce street begging in the state. Let the parents amend their ways, clerics should preach, and the government will also do our best,” he concluded.
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