Ayodele Fayose, a former governor of Ekiti and ally of President Bola Tinubu, claims that the practice of northerners marrying multiple wives and having numerous children indiscriminately poses a significant problem for Nigeria and is a burden on the government.
Mr. Fayose made these remarks during an interview on Channels TV on Monday night.
When asked what he believes the government could do to alleviate the suffering of millions of Nigerians under Mr. Tinubu’s administration as citizens prepare to protest, Mr. Fayose emphasized the issues of polygamy and indiscriminate childbearing as factors exacerbating the country’s population crisis.
Recounting his observations of these practices in Northern Nigeria, Mr. Fayose said, “Let me say this. I visited a state in the North; I won’t mention its name. I was there for three days and became familiar with the people around the government house where I stayed.
“I sat outside and began talking with a few individuals. I asked the gateman how long he had been in government service. He replied that he had spent 26 years. When I inquired about his salary, he mentioned it was modest—N34,000. I then asked how many children he had, to which he responded 16. When I asked about his number of wives, he said four.”
He continued, “My brother, the problem lies within… For God’s sake, if someone is earning N34,000, what can the government do for 17 children? We shouldn’t be unrealistic.
The former Ekiti governor went on to say, “Another person mentioned he had eight children and three wives, with one wife still expecting.
“A lot needs to be done within our communities as well. Because when you have children and enter a government that is struggling to survive, it becomes difficult when you ask me what I would say to them. What do I say to a man with 17 children and four wives?” he asked.
Mr. Fayose’s comments come amid public outrage over ongoing economic hardships characterized by a high cost of living crisis under Mr. Tinubu’s administration.
He argued that one year was insufficient for Mr. Tinubu’s government to resolve a hunger crisis that predates his presidency, noting that former President Muhammadu Buhari served eight years without facing protests over hunger in the country.
“This hunger started a long time ago. That was why there was a rally at one point demanding ‘Jonathan must go.’ Jonathan left, but that hunger did not cease. Buhari took over. I engaged with the power structure. Buhari spent eight years, and nobody raised any concerns. I don’t recall any rallies,” Mr. Fayose said.
“Nigeria is a very challenging country to govern. We all know that. If a man is given four years, allow him a mid-term evaluation.”
