Northerners demand apology from Fayose over comment that poor folks with multiple children contribute to Nigeria’s economic crisis
By Ishaya Ibrahim
Northerners have demanded an apology from ex-governor Ayo Fayose of Ekiti State that President Bola Tinubu is hamstrung to solve Nigeria’s problem because of the tendency of poor folks to have many children they can’t take care of, citing examples from the North.
Fayose, when asked during an interview on Channels TV what he thinks the government could do to alleviate the sufferings of millions of Nigerians under Mr Tinubu’s watch, highlighted the marrying of multiple wives and indiscriminate childbearing as issues compounding the country’s population crisis.
Recounting how he came to know about indiscriminate marriage and childbearing in Northern Nigeria, Mr Fayose said, “Let me say this. I went to one state in the North. I don’t want to mention the name of the state. I was there for three days. During my stay, I became familiar with people around the government house where I stayed.
“I sat outside and started speaking with one or two people. I asked the gateman how long he had been in government work. He said he had spent 26 years. I asked how much his salary was. He said it was small, N34,000. I asked how many children he had. He said 16. I asked how many wives he had. He said four.”
He added, “My brother, the problem is inside… For God’s sake, if somebody is earning N34,000, what can the government do with 17 children? We don’t want to be unrealistic.
The former Ekiti governor continued, “Another person said he has eight children and three wives, with one of his wives still expecting.
“A lot has to be done with our people too. Because when you have children and you go into government, a government that is struggling to survive, it is difficult when you are asking me what I would say to them. What do I say to a man with 17 children and four wives?” he asked.
On X, northerners have expressed disappointment over Fayose’s comment.
@Waspapping_ said: “I can’t believe this is coming from Fayose. It is very stupid and irresponsible statement. He needs to apologize.”
@haassaan___ said: “He’s very st!p!d for saying that Why didn’t he say this during Buhari’s tenure?”
@jrnaib2 said: “How Ayodele Fayose turned Ekiti when he was a governor of the state. This development was achieved because Ekiti people give birth to the children they can carter, Ekiti has less 5 million population now. Northerners, hope you will learn from Ekiti people and Fayose?”
Other Nigerians, including the publisher of Ovation Magazine, Dele Momodu also faulted Fayose.
He said: “My dear Brother AYO FAYOSE, I have just two questions Sir: who is more destructive to the nation, the poor man with plenty of wives and children or the politician with one wife and many high maintenance girlfriends, who waste public resources on extravagant lifestyles including private jets? Who is more productive, the politician who steals the sweat and resources of the citizens or the poor man who sends his many poor wives and children to the farmlands to grow crops for all of us!!!
“Your Excellency, my dear Brother, please, let’s all accept that we’ve failed this country and we need urgent reset. We cannot afford the blame games at this perilous time… May God forgive our transgressions.”
