Former ekiti governor Ayo Fayose stands by comment on overpopulation, refuses to apologize

Former Ekiti State Governor, Ayo Fayose, has refused to apologize for his recent comments regarding Nigerians contributing to the country’s economic burdens by having more children than they can support.

During an interview with Channels TV on Monday, July 29, Fayose highlighted how men having multiple wives and many children is a problem for Nigeria’s growth.

Fayose recounted a visit to a Northern state, where he spoke with a security guard earning a meager salary who revealed he had four wives and sixteen children.

Fayose expressed his concern about the impact of large families on Nigeria’s economic situation, stating, “If someone is earning N34,000, what can the government do with 17 children? We don’t want to be realistic.”

His comments sparked backlash, particularly from Northerners, including Senator Shehu Sani, who found his statements offensive and demanded an apology. However, Fayose responded that his comments were not aimed at any particular region and that he was merely using an example to illustrate his point.

In a statement, Fayose said, “No Apologies, My Comment Not Targeted At Anyone or Any Region. I have no reason to say derogatory things about anyone, not even the North, not the South. What I said was very clear. I said I visited a State in the North, but I didn’t mention the State.

And I gave an illustration that I got talking to a Gateman who said to me that he had four wives and 16 children. And I said what can the government do about such a person? What can the government do about a Gateman with four wives and 16 children? That illustration is not about the North, it could be anyone in the Southwest, Southeast, or South-South.”

Fayose emphasized the need for Nigeria to address its population issue, regardless of the region, and criticized those who misinterpreted his comments. He concluded, “Therefore, I can’t be bothered about the anger of anyone. I have no reasons to be derogatory about anyone, any region, or group.”