Dele Momodu, a veteran journalist and publisher of Ovation Magazine, has criticized former Ekiti State governor, Ayo Fayose, over his remarks about northerners.
Fayose had attributed Nigeria’s development challenges to northerners marrying multiple wives and having many children indiscriminately, which he claimed created a significant burden on the government.
During an interview on Channels Television, Fayose argued that Nigerians should not participate in the planned #EndBadGovernance protests, asserting that the country’s hunger crisis did not begin under President Tinubu but was exacerbated by the large population in the north.
He stated, “The reason why it is difficult for Tinubu to develop Nigeria is because northerners are giving birth to children they can’t cater for.”
In response, Momodu, in a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday, rebuked Fayose, suggesting that he had spoken out of tune and should exercise caution.
Momodu posed two critical questions to Fayose: “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?”
He continued, “Who is more productive, the politician who steals the sweat and resources of the citizens or the poor man who sends his many poor wives and children to the farmlands to grow crops for every one of us?”
Momodu urged for a collective acknowledgment of failure among the nation’s leaders and emphasized the need for urgent reforms.
He said, “Your Excellency, my dear Brother, please, let’s all accept that we’ve failed this country and we need an urgent reset. We cannot afford the blame games at this perilous time… May God forgive our transgressions… Warmest regards always…” signed off as CHIEF DELE MOMODU.