- Ex-governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, blamed the north’s population for burdening the current administration
- He said their habit of marrying multiple wives and having multiple children contributes to the nation's problems
- Some Nigerians demanded an apology, others suggested Fayose was right
Former governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose has said that northerners contribute to the problems of the country because of their habit of marrying multiple wives and having children they cannot cater for.
He said Northerners marry many wives and give birth to many children expecting the government to take care of them.
Mr Fayose said this during an interview with Seun Okinbaloye on Channels TV on Monday July 29.
The former governor narrated his experience during his visit to an undisclosed northern state in Nigeria.
He said he encountered a man who had been working for 26 years and earns N34,000 with four wives and 16 children to cater for. He mentioned that he also met another man who has three wives and eight children, with another one on the way.
In his words: “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.
“If someone is earning N34,000, what can the government do with 17 children? We don’t want to be realistic because when you want to have children, you throw them to the government. A government that is struggling to survive. It is difficult. What will I say to a man who has 16 children? Another person said he has eight children and three wives and one of his wives is still expecting. It all has to do with our people too.”
Nigerians react, Northerners demand apology from Fayose
This comment seems to have generated various reactions from Nigerians. Most Northerners have demanded an apology from Mr Fayose, and others think this is just another excuse for the government’s incompetence.
Some netizens also think it is a government tactic to prevent the youth from continuing with the planned nationwide protest.
Dele Momodu and former Senator Shehu Sani have asked the former governor to apologise for his comment on Northerners.
@DeleMomodu posted: “"My dear Brother AYO FAYOSE, I have just two questions Sir: who is more destructive to the nation, the poor man with plenty 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 sweats and resources of the citizens or the poor man who sends his many poor wives and childten to the farmlands to grow crops for everyone 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… Warmest regards always..." CHIEF DELE MOMODU”
@ShehuSani posted: “Even though Fayose spoke as an individual,his reported statement on Northerners is contemptous and unconscionable.I suggest he should humbly withdraw it and tender an apology as a Statesman.”
Some netizens believe that although Ayo Fayose was insensitive with is comment, he spoke nothing but the truth.
Here are some of the reactions that trailed the interview.
@jrnaib2 posted: “After blaming: - Buhari - Binance - Emefiele, Tinubu boys are now blaming northerners population for Tinubu's failures. Fayose just insulted the entire northern Nigeria's people, in the name of defending Tinubu's colossal failure!”
@Shehusky posted: “Insulting us the Northern Nigerians will not end the failures of Tinubu. Someone should tell Fayose that the only thing that will save Tinubu and himself from shame is for Tinubu to resign immediately.”
@novieverest posted: “His allies have moved from cursing Igbos to cursing Northerners. Fayose just insulted their religion because the religion accepts multiple wives. This isn't politics anymore. Tinubu should order Fayose to apologize to the North.”
@A__yabo posted: “What Fayose said about northerners is what most southerners think about us, majority of southerners think northerners are the reason Nigeria is not moving well. What they fail to understand is, arewa and its people are the reason Nigeria is still respected in the world.”
@jidifeanyi posted: “Fayose's comment might be insensitive at this point in time but it's a bitter truth.”
@cchidume posted: “Fayose said the truth. Govt takes care of everything for them from marriage through almajiri-primary-secondary-tertiary-Job!!! Medicals are also free for them. Pay for Hajj for them. From what resources? The long engrained entitlement mentality is their major problem.”
@HaadiJimoh posted: “It is not an insult, It is a fact. Some northern governors invest in massive free weddings without future plans to cater for those children. They later then to Almajiri causing mayhem to the public. These low self-esteem children are the ones who turn to bandits.”
@mystigive posted: “Let's be realistic, I am not saying he is correct, but you will see a 3-year-old boy begging on the street at Kano Road Central Market in Kaduna. Those female beggars are always with new babies. The worst part is that you will see a 3-year-old child coming to your house and begging for food. Who is responsible for the failure of these children? Is it the government or the irresponsible parents?”
@Airdropglobal5 posted: “What Fayose said was disgusting and he's inciting bigotry against the North. First it was the Igbos and now it's the North. This government is the most divisive ever seen in Nigeria's history.”
@casicruise posted: “He said so because he thinks the North is a liability to the Nigerian project which I doubt but we can also admit that there is some atom of truth in his statement in terms of reproduction. only a regional system of government can prove him wrong. why not suggest that?”
President Tinubu okays creation of North-West, South-East development commissions
Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that President Tinubu approved the bill that proposes the creation of development commissions for the North-West and South-East geopolitical zones.
Tinubu gave his assent on Tuesday, July 22, to assist in the development of these regions.