During a viral video of an Equatorial Guinea official, a Nigerian marriage counselor gives advice to husbands.

The explosive controversy involving Baltasar Ebang Engonga, an Equatorial Guinean politician whose purported tapes with over 300 women were recently revealed, has led Nigerian marital counselor Esther Usetim to give men harsh advise while evaluating their spouses. Usetim's remarks come after it was disclosed on November 4, 2024, that Baltasar, the Director General of Equatorial Guinea's National Agency for Financial Investigation (ANIF), had accumulated a record of himself with a number of women, including his own brother's wife, his cousin, and the wife of the head of presidential security.

According to reports, officials discovered the videos on Baltasar's computer during a corruption investigation. As soon as the video became public, the women involved were the target of indignation, condemnation, and contempt. Usetim, however, cautioned men from criticizing their relationships based only on such sensationalized events.

Usetim highlighted in her observations that society's propensity to unfairly blame women for scandals undermines innocent relationships and only serves to increase mistrust. Instead of making snap judgments on their spouses, she advised gentlemen to encourage candid dialogue and understanding in their marriages. The haste with which guilt or suspicion is assigned can be detrimental to couples, she says, particularly in the digital era when public humiliation can turn personal disputes into permanent injury.

Usetim's warning emphasizes how crucial it is to keep personal connections free from the impact of scandals and media representations. Although the scandal has broad ramifications for the political and social landscape of Equatorial Guinea, she pointed out that each marriage and family is distinct and deserving of privacy and respect.

Instead of taking a reactive approach influenced by social media influences, the Nigerian counselor advised men to consider their values and level of confidence in their partners. Many people have found resonance in her message, which has sparked discussions about communication, trust, and marriage resilience in the face of sensationalized scandals. Usetim's advice is a reminder that solid relationships are based on communication and understanding rather than assessments influenced by outside forces or viral issues, especially in light of current controversy.