Deputy Governor’s Family Faces Ultimatum Over Child Custody Dispute

​ABAKALIKI — Victoria Okoro, wife to Francis Obila and daughter-in-law to Ebonyi State Deputy Governor Patricia Obila, has broken a two-month silence to publicly demand access to her two young children.

​According to Okoro, she was separated from her toddlers on June 21, a period spanning eight weeks. At the time of the separation, her eldest child was a year and six months old, while her second child was a fragile three months old.

​In a heartfelt public appeal, Okoro stated that she initially chose a path of discretion, respecting the high political office of her in-laws and attempting to resolve the marital impasse behind closed doors. However, she noted that her patience should not be misconstrued as weakness or consent.

ADVERTISEMENT

​”There are two innocent children at the centre of this situation… Children who should not have to bear the consequences of whatever disagreement exists between the adults in their lives,” Okoro stated.

​The aggrieved mother is giving the family a final ultimatum of one week to reach an amicable and private settlement that restores her maternal custody and access. She warned that failure to reach a consensus will compel her to publish a comprehensive, chronological account of the events leading up to the separation.

​Emphasizing that her actions are devoid of malice or political vendetta, Okoro maintained that her primary focus remains the psychological well-being of her infants, who she insists require the nurturing presence of both parents during their formative developmental stages.

​Representatives for the Deputy Governor’s family have yet to issue an official statement addressing the allegations or the demand for custody.

​[Profile of Patricia Obila](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cX0Hreved50)

​This video provides background context on Patricia Obila, the Deputy Governor of Ebonyi State, whose family is central to this custody dispute.