Former Ekiti Governor Ayodele Fayose has identified the practice of multiple marriages and indiscriminate childbearing in Northern Nigeria as a significant contributor to the country’s population crisis.

Fayose made the disclosure in an interview on Channels TV.

He said the trend poses a substantial burden on the government and exacerbates the sufferings of millions of Nigerians.

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

The comment by the former governor comes at a time when Nigerians are complaining over economic hardships and a high cost of living crisis under President Tinubu’s administration.

However, Fayose has argued that one year is too short for the government to address these issues, citing the example of former President Muhammadu Buhari’s eight-year tenure without protests over hunger.

“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.”