Fayose: Marrying Multiple Wives, Having Many Children in the North Worsening Tinubu’s Governance Issues

Ayodele Fayose, the former governor of Ekiti State and a known ally of President Bola Tinubu, has sparked controversy with his recent remarks on marital practices in Northern Nigeria. During an interview on Channels TV, Fayose suggested that the practice of marrying multiple wives and having numerous children is exacerbating the country’s population crisis and creating significant challenges for the government.

Fayose recounted a visit to a Northern state, where he spoke to a local government worker who revealed having 16 children with four wives while earning a modest salary of N34,000. Fayose argued that such personal choices are unsustainable and contribute to the broader economic strain.

Addressing the current economic hardships and high cost of living under Tinubu’s administration, Fayose noted that it would be unrealistic to expect immediate improvements given the long-standing nature of Nigeria’s economic issues. He emphasized that these challenges have persisted through previous administrations, including those of former Presidents Goodluck Jonathan and Muhammadu Buhari, suggesting that the difficulties of governance are compounded by the nation’s demographic and economic pressures.

Fayose’s comments come amidst growing public frustration over the country’s economic conditions, with citizens preparing for protests. He advocated for a more measured approach to addressing the nation’s issues, acknowledging the complexity of governing Nigeria.

“Nigeria is a very difficult country to govern,” Fayose concluded, urging patience and understanding in the face of ongoing challenges.