A traditional marriage ceremony in Mbaise, Imo State, reportedly turned dramatic after a groom threatened to end his marriage when his bride’s kinsmen demanded an additional ₦300,000.
The incident was recounted by a woman who claimed the groom had already spent about ₦2 million on the marriage and fulfilled the requirements contained in the original six-page marriage list agreed upon by both families.
However, trouble reportedly started during the traditional bride-price ceremony when the bride’s relatives allegedly produced another list and demanded an additional ₦300,000 before the proceedings could continue.
According to the narrator, the groom explained that he had not made provision for the unexpected payment and promised to send the money after returning to Warri.
Despite reportedly pleading with him for about two hours, the bride’s kinsmen allegedly insisted that he should leave if he could not provide the money that day.
Frustrated by the development, the groom reportedly approached his bride and issued an ultimatum.
He was quoted as saying, “As you see me so, na go I dey. If I enter that bus and you no follow me, marriage don end. I no dey come back here.”
The groom then reportedly headed towards his vehicle, prompting the bride to stand up and follow him.
The development allegedly caused the bride’s kinsmen to reconsider their position, as they called the couple back and agreed that the additional ₦300,000 could be paid at a later date.
However, the groom was reportedly already angry over the earlier demand and rejected the compromise.
He allegedly told the family that he would not pay any additional money beyond what was contained in the original agreement.
“I no dey pay any extra money. Either we continue this marriage with the original list we agreed on, or the marriage ends here today,” he reportedly said.
The narrator further claimed that the bride, who already has three children with the groom, eventually went down on her knees to plead with her family to accept the original agreement and allow the ceremony to continue.
After further discussions, the bride’s kinsmen reportedly agreed to honour the initial arrangement.
The traditional marriage proceedings subsequently continued without the groom paying the additional ₦300,000 demanded during the ceremony.
The incident has sparked discussions about marriage lists, unexpected financial demands during traditional weddings and the pressure such demands can place on couples and their families.
