Northerners marrying wives, giving birth carelessly causing problems for Tinubu — Fayose

Former governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose has said that northerners marrying many wives and having many children recklessly constitute a big challenge for Nigeria and a burden on the government.

Mr Fayose who is an ally of president Bola said this when he appeared on Channels TV on Monday.

When asked the measures the government could take to assauge the sufferings of millions of Nigerians under Mr Tinubu as citizens prepare to protest, Fayose noted that marrying of multiple wives and reckless childbearing are issues compounding the nation’s population crisis.

While narrating how he came to know about indiscriminate marriage and childbearing in Northern region, 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.

“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 who has 17 children and four wives?” he said.

Meanwhile, Fayose’s remarks is coming on the heels of public outcry over the current economic hardships occasioned by a high cost of living crisis under Mr Tinubu’s administration.

Speaking further during the interview, Fayose argued that one year was too early for Mr Tinubu’s administration to address the hunger crisis that predated his presidency, adding that former president Muhammadu Buhari served eight years without 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 stop. Buhari came. I spoke to power. Buhari spent eight years, and nobody said anything. I don’t remember any rallies,” Mr Fayose said.

“Nigeria is a very difficult country to govern. We all know that. If a man is to spend four years, give him a mid-term.”

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