I'll consider tying the knot again if my spouse keeps neglecting me, says separated woman

Emmanuel Chinenyenwa, a mother of one, shares her experience of a troubled three-year marriage, her husband's disappearance after traveling to Abidjan, the capital of Côte d’Ivoire, and her struggles to raise their child alone, in a conversation with OLUFEMI ADEDIRAN.

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Chinenyenwa's husband, Emmanuel Ajuruchukwu, whom she married in a traditional ceremony in May 2023, had been living with her until he traveled to Abidjan on March 15, 2024, leaving her to care for their son.

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Ajuruchukwu initially told Chinenyenwa he was traveling to Senegal, but later revealed he was actually in Abidjan, claiming he had lied to ensure her support for his trip, as he believed she would not approve if he didn't have a specific destination.

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Before his trip, Ajuruchukwu had been running a beer parlour in Abia State, but the business was not doing well, and he sold it before traveling to Abidjan, where he claimed he would "hustle" to provide a better life for Chinenyenwa and their son.

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Chinenyenwa was worried when she discovered her husband was in Abidjan, not Senegal, but she continued to support him, praying for his success and going to church to seek guidance.

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Ajuruchukwu initially called and sent money frequently, providing N50,000 monthly for their upkeep, but his behavior changed over time, and he began to blame Chinenyenwa for his problems, calling her lazy and accusing her of using their son to collect money from him.

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The situation deteriorated, and Ajuruchukwu stopped calling and sending money, citing the election period in Côte d’Ivoire as a reason for his business struggles, leaving Chinenyenwa to care for their son with minimal support.

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By February 2025, Ajuruchukwu had stopped all communication, and Chinenyenwa was left to struggle, eventually starting a poultry business, which failed, and then attempting to start a salon business with her savings of N85,000.

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Chinenyenwa's husband refused to support her salon business, telling her to look for a shop and promising to pay for it, but instead, he abused and insulted her, suggesting she should fry groundnuts and hawk them on the streets.

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The couple's relationship had been troubled from the start, with Ajuruchukwu threatening to divorce Chinenyenwa shortly after their traditional marriage over a disagreement about selling his brother's car, which he had been left to care for.

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Ajuruchukwu's family, who had never been supportive of Chinenyenwa, hated her, and she felt like an outcast, but her husband had assured her he would make arrangements for them to join him in Abidjan once he was settled.

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However, Ajuruchukwu later changed his mind, telling Chinenyenwa that he would return to Nigeria instead, and when she pressed him for a plan to bring her and their son to join him, he stopped responding to her calls and messages.

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Chinenyenwa sent Ajuruchukwu her National Identification Number and passport photograph for travel documentation, but he went silent, and she has not heard from him since January, leaving her worried and unsure of his whereabouts.

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Chinenyenwa's attempts to reach out to Ajuruchukwu's family were met with indifference, and his siblings claimed they had been in contact with him, but she was unsure what to believe, given the conflicting information.

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Chinenyenwa has not reported the matter to the police or authorities, feeling alone and without support, and has been relying on her siblings for help, who have been assisting her in getting her son back to school.

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Chinenyenwa is seeking support to get back on her feet, including financial assistance to secure an apartment and start a new business, and is open to moving on with her life, even considering remarriage, despite her loyalty to her husband.

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Chinenyenwa's experience has taken a toll on her, and she is desperate for a fresh start, hoping that God will help her and that people will provide the support she needs to rebuild her life.