Rivers Councillor Ties Knot with Two Brides in One Traditional Ceremony

A Ward 5 councillor of the Andoni Legislative Council in Rivers State has drawn public attention after formally marrying two women on the same day in a traditional ceremony.

Hon. Iyeoron Rowland Brown (also referred to in some reports as Rowland Brown Iyeoron), who has been identified as the Deputy Leader of the Andoni Legislative Assembly, wed the two women on Saturday, 12 September 2026. The event took place at the Community Primary School Field in Asuk-Ama Town, Andoni Local Government Area.

Family members, friends, community leaders and well-wishers gathered for the occasion, which featured customary rites typical of traditional marriages in the region. Photos and accounts from the event have circulated widely online since the weekend, sparking a mix of congratulations, curiosity and commentary about the polygamous arrangement.

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In parts of Nigeria, particularly among certain ethnic groups and communities in the South-South and other regions, traditional marriage customs permit a man to take more than one wife, provided the necessary family and community rites are observed. Such simultaneous ceremonies, while not everyday occurrences, have been reported in various states over the years and often reflect longstanding cultural practices rather than civil or church weddings under statutory law.

Details about the identities of the two brides, their backgrounds, or any public statements from the councillor or the families involved have not been widely released in available reports. The ceremony itself appears to have proceeded as a community celebration without reported disruption.

The story first gained broader notice through social media shares and local coverage before being picked up by blogs and online platforms on Monday, 15 September 2026. Reactions online have ranged from well-wishes for the new family unit to questions about the practicalities of the household arrangement, reflecting the diverse views Nigerians hold on polygamy in contemporary society.

Hon. Brown continues to serve as a representative for Ward 5 in the Andoni Legislative Council, the local law-making body that works alongside the executive leadership of the local government area. No official comment from the council or other political figures on the personal event has been reported at the time of publication.

As with many traditional unions of this nature, the formalisation under customary law does not necessarily involve a concurrent statutory marriage under the Marriage Act, which in Nigeria recognises monogamy for civil and most Christian ceremonies. The focus of Saturday’s event remained on the cultural and communal aspects of the celebration in Asuk-Ama.