Oba Of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu: Any Man Who Says He Has One Wife Is Lying

Oba Rilwan Akiolu of Lagos had an interview with Sijibomi Oyedepo from Sunday Sun, below are some excerpts from the interview. He addressed marriage, fidelity and other issues with a whimsical sense of humour.

Where and when did you meet your wife?

I met her over 50 years ago in Isale Eko here. You see, there is no handsome, rich, young man who does not like women. That a man likes a woman is different from a man who cannot do without women. When you see a man who can­not do without women, he can sleep with anyone. His sister, maid, his son’s wife, daughter, col­league, niece, any woman.

What attracted you to your first wife and why did you take a second wife?

Beauty and everything.

Any man who says he has one wife is deceiv­ing himself. All those who say they have one wife


have mistresses outside. I am going to be 72 now and I cherish beautiful women and nobody can stop me. I like women and I can’t do without women are two different things.

That time, I was a policeman. She came for sports. She is the daughter of the late Sir Olateru Olagbegi and was very jealous. I told her what’s wrong with you, your father married 40 wives. The man was a fantastic man. I liked him.

I have many women friends now. I can marry more wives now. There’s nothing they can do. If I ask them and they go with me, good. If not, good luck.

Have you ever commandeered a lady?

I will start from you. Tell your husband if his Ade has Wale, he should marry another wife and leave you to me.

No o Kabiyesi. I am not ready to die yet…

There is no person who wants to die but no matter what. It is a decree from heaven. We all will go one day. Live everyday of your life as if you will go tomorrow. I am not afraid of death. Do well to people. Be open. Let people know you for who you are. You can sleep and you don’t get up. That’s why the Quran says which of the favour of the Almighty Allah can we deny? None. You see, all these major people in the country, give them 10 years and they will not be relevant again. Where are those of yesterday? That’s why I swear that by God’s grace, Ambode will become governor of Lagos. You see Jimi Agbaje, is my close relative. His father’s mother is from the Shokun Onilegbale Royal family of Lagos and I told him in clear language that he cannot get it . If anybody attempts to do any magomago, that is what will take all of them. God knows to whom He will give the Presidency but for this Lagos governorship, it’s Ambode.

Do the Queens perform their duties routinely?

(Surprised) Aha (pauses) Aha. The Holy Quran says your wives are your partners. You have three main duties. Feeding, clothing and teaching them the right way and perform your duty as their hus­band .

So you don’t tell them “I want you to­day, you, your turn is tomorrow?

You want to know? Come and live with us in the palace.

Who’s your favourite among them?

All of them make me happy because they know I am a no-nonsense man and nobody can predict what I will do. They call me Aseyiwu Eledumare and I say I am not Eledumare. Even among my children, I have no favorite. If you have a son who makes you happy, why will you not like him? The child who does not make you happy, pray to God and try to correct him. You see, I have no friend, I have no enemy. That’s what I was doing with my son Tinubu. You see Tinubu and Fashola are special blessings to Lagos. All the people who contested are all my children.