His Majesty Ogiame Atuwatse III, the Olu of Warri, has opened up about his personal choice to have only one wife, explaining that family stability, personal balance, and peace of mind take precedence over traditional expectations of polygamy.
In an interview with BBC News Pidgin, the monarch also addressed public reactions to a viral video showing him riding a scooter on a newly constructed road in Warri, Delta State.
“The life of a king has two sides: the public and the private,” the Olu explained. “While I dedicate myself fully to public duties, at home I prefer quiet and privacy. That’s why I have chosen to focus on one wife.
He said the demands of kingship, frequent meetings with the president, governors, and other leaders—leave little room for expanding his family.
“Energy and time are limited resources. When you go home, you need space to relax and pour into your family.
”I simply do not have the grace to handle multiple households, ” he said.
Regarding the viral scooter video, the Olu dismissed criticisms suggesting it was unbecoming for a monarch.
“For a position like mine, it is important to laugh at yourself sometimes.
”Status and age should not prevent one from enjoying simple pleasures, as long as dignity is maintained,” he said.
The monarch clarified that the road he rode on was not yet open to public traffic and that the act posed no safety risks.
“I wanted to inspect the road personally. There was no traffic, and it was completely safe,” he said.
Interestingly, he noted that the video had an unexpected benefit: it drew attention to development opportunities in Warri.
“People started reaching out about land and investment possibilities. It’s helping promote our city,” he added.
Drawing on experiences from abroad, the Olu said riding scooters or bicycles is commonplace and should not be overanalysed.
He reaffirmed his commitment to public service while maintaining a deliberately private personal life, urging citizens to view his lifestyle as a balance between duty and personal well-being rather than a breach of royal protocol.
