‘His Majesty Cannot Change His Mind On Polygamy’ — Olu Of Warri’s Wife, Olori Atuwatse III

Credit: Instagram | oloriatuwatseiii

The wife of the Olu of Warri, Olori Ivie Atuwatse III, has insisted that her husband, Ogiame Atuwatse III, will not embrace polygamy, saying she alone is enough for him.

The queen consort made this known in an interview with BBC News Pidgin published on Wednesday, September 23, 2026, where she spoke about her marriage, her personal style and her role in the palace.

Asked what she would do if the monarch, who had previously ruled out taking another wife, changed his mind, Atuwatse dismissed the possibility outright.

“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,” she said.

Her comments come months after 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.

Speaking further in her own interview, 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.”

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In a lighter moment, she let slip a detail about how she and her husband coordinate their looks. “You want make I tell you secret? I be my husband stylist,” she said.

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.

Atuwatse and the Olu of Warri got married in 2014 and have three children together. He ascended the throne as the 21st Olu of Warri in August 2021, succeeding his uncle, Ogiame Ikenwoli.

My husband is my greatest supporter — Olori Ivie Atuwatse III