My Wife Talks Nonsense Sometimes, But I Never Beat Her — Pete Edochie Shames Violent Men

Veteran Nollywood legend Pete Edochie has condemned domestic violence in strong words, telling men that beating a woman will never make them heroes.

The 79-year-old actor, respected across Africa for his wisdom and deep voice, said violence against women is a sign of weakness, not strength. He said this while speaking about marriage and what has kept his own home together for more than five decades.

“If you beat your wife, you’re not a hero,” Edochie said in an interview that has now gone viral. 

He explained that women can sometimes talk a lot and say things that may annoy or provoke a man, but that is never an excuse to hit her. According to him, a real man controls his anger.

Pete Edochie revealed that he has been married for 57 years and no one has ever had to intervene in his marriage because of abuse. “I have been married for 57 years, and nobody has ever come into my house to say, ‘Oh, Pete, please, stop beating this woman,'” he said. 

The actor said marriage will always have disagreements. Two people living together for many years will definitely quarrel. But how you handle that quarrel is what matters. He said couples should learn to talk, to listen, and to forgive, instead of using fists.

His powerful message is coming at a time when the conversation about domestic violence is hot again in Ghana and Nigeria. This follows the circulation of disturbing videos on social media that allegedly show Ghanaian actress and fashion icon Nana Akua Addo being abused. The videos have sparked anger and fresh calls for men to stop violence against women.

Many people online have praised Pete Edochie for using his long marriage as an example. For a man who has stayed married for 57 years to say he has never beaten his wife is a big lesson to young men who think beating shows power.

Edochie urged men to handle their homes with patience and respect. He said a woman is supposed to be protected, not punched. He added that if you want your marriage to last, you must learn to be patient and to say sorry when you are wrong.

His words are simple: Real men don’t beat women.

SamuelAppau feedback-opera-news-app@opera.com