Olu of Warri can’t change mind on polygamy – Wife
Olori Ivie Atuwatse III, wife of the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III, says her husband would not change his mind on polygamy.
Atuwatse and the Olu of Warri got married in 2014 and have three children together. The monarch ascended the throne as the 21st Olu of Warri in August 2021, succeeding his uncle, Ogiame Ikenwoli.
The queen said in an interview with BBC News Pidgin published on Wednesday, September 23, 2026, that she is enough for her husband.
Asked what she would do if the monarch, who had previously ruled out taking another wife, changed his mind, Atuwatse said, “Firstly, His Majesty no go fit change him mind about polygamy. Make we just settle that one for there. Me alone, one me, I be like three women, so I dey alright for am.”
The Olu of Warri himself addressed the subject in a separate BBC Pidgin interview in January 2026, where he explained why he had chosen to remain married to one wife despite the tradition of polygamy among monarchs. “God did not give me that grace,” he had said, adding that the demands of the throne already stretched his time thin and that he preferred to protect his peace at home with his family.
Atuwatse said one of the things she enjoyed most about her marriage was watching the public celebrate her husband’s achievements. “The thing wey I like about being married to His Majesty is that, all the fame or the popularity wey him get, na say I get to see the world celebrate his genius, his swag also, cos me too I dey celebrate am. And when the world dey celebrate am, e dey ginger me more,” she said.
She, however, admitted that the monarch’s schedule sometimes made it difficult for the couple to spend enough time together, given the weight of his royal duties.
The queen, a lawyer by training, also spoke about her signature turban and dismissed suggestions that her role restricts her sense of style. “My dressing is how I like it. People ask me why I dey cover my hair. My turban na my crown, na so I dey see am,” she said, adding, “Anytime I dey in Queen mode, I like to dey cover my hair to just give respect to di office wey I get, and I no feel say I dey restricted.”
She also revealed she was her husband’s stylist.
On politics, Atuwatse said she had no personal ambitions to run for office but encouraged women interested in politics to pursue it, noting that self-belief was important for women seeking leadership positions.
