The Community Primary School Field in Asuk-Ama Town, Andoni Local Government Area, served as the venue for a joint traditional marriage ceremony that joined Hon. Iyeoron Rowland, a Ward 5 Councillor of the Andoni Legislative Council, with two brides, Ugwem and Sylverline, on the same day.
Rowland, who also holds the position of Deputy House Leader of the 10th Andoni Legislative Council, sat between his two new wives during the celebration. Photographs and videos from the event, since circulated online, show the groom in a golden, embellished traditional outfit while Ugwem and Sylverline wore purple and green attire respectively. Although the colours differed, both brides wore similar bridal embellishments and accessories.
The joint ceremony drew family members, friends, associates and well-wishers to the field in Asuk-Ama Town. In one of the videos that surfaced online, family members surround the three newlyweds as they dance in matching traditional attire. The footage captures a communal scene typical of traditional marriage celebrations in the region.
The politician's office later released a statement expressing appreciation to those who attended. The letter, signed by Monday Rufus, Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to Iyeoron, described the event as a memorable celebration of culture, unity and community. It thanked individuals, groups and institutions whose presence, goodwill and benevolence made the Traditional Marriage and Grand Reception Celebration hold successfully.
Polygamous marriages, in which a man has more than one wife, remain a recognised social practice in parts of Nigeria. The practice carries cultural and historical roots, though its prevalence varies from one community and family to another.
The event in Andoni LGA is not the first of its kind in Nigerian public life, where traditional rulers, politicians and businessmen have held joint wedding ceremonies. Such celebrations often draw large crowds and receive coverage in local media, given the public profile of the individuals involved.
Rowland's position as Deputy House Leader of the 10th Andoni Legislative Council places him within the local political structure of Rivers State. His ward, Ward 5, falls under the Andoni Local Government Area, a coastal region in the southern part of the state.
The video footage from the ceremony shows a large gathering of guests assembled at the field, with the newlyweds at the centre of the proceedings. The matching traditional outfits worn by the three principals stood out against the backdrop of the crowd. The groom's golden attire contrasted with the purple and green worn by his brides.
The statement from Rowland's office did not provide further details about the reception that followed the traditional ceremony. It did, however, acknowledge the role played by those who contributed to the success of both the marriage and the grand reception.
Traditional marriage ceremonies in Nigeria typically involve the payment of bride price, the exchange of gifts and the formal presentation of the bride to the groom's family. In joint ceremonies, these rites are performed for both couples in a single event, often to reduce costs and consolidate celebrations.
The practice of polygamy in Nigeria is most common in the northern and southern regions, where cultural and religious traditions permit a man to take more than one wife. In the Niger Delta area, where Andoni LGA is located, the practice is recognised within local customs.
Rowland's joint wedding has generated attention online, with the videos and photographs from the ceremony drawing comments from viewers. The images show the three newlyweds seated together, with the two wives on either side of the groom.
The Community Primary School Field, where the ceremony took place, is a public venue in Asuk-Ama Town. Its use for the wedding reflects the scale of the gathering, which required a space large enough to accommodate the guests who attended.
The letter from Rowland's office, signed by his media aide, did not specify the number of guests present or the cost of the ceremony. It focused instead on expressing gratitude to those who attended and contributed.
The ceremony in Andoni LGA adds to a pattern of joint traditional weddings in Nigeria, where public figures sometimes choose to marry multiple wives in a single event. The practice continues to be observed across different communities in the country.
According to Pulse.ng.
