Former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, has attributed population growth in rural communities to the lack of electricity, arguing that darkness after 7pm leaves residents with limited options for nighttime activities.
Fayose spoke on Friday in Abuja after he was inaugurated as Chairman of the Rural Electrification Agency board.
In a video shared by ARISE News on Saturday, the former governor said the absence of electricity in rural areas had restricted entertainment and recreational activities, leaving residents with little to do outside their homes at night.
He said, “Why you don’t address this issue of electricity? The people at that level have no alternative attraction. Nothing else matters to them. After 7 o’clock, it gets dark there.
“Everybody is engaging their wives. And the population simply becomes double. The simple problem is because there is lack of electricity.”
Fayose also said improved electricity supply in rural communities would allow residents to remain active later at night, while creating opportunities for nightlife and other forms of recreation.
“People go to bed early. Their mind is simply prepared that, well, if this is the only available recreation, let me remain here.
“But when we address this electricity, there will be nightlife. There will be recreation outside your wife,” he said.
His comments came shortly after assuming leadership of the REA board, which is tasked with supporting the Federal Government’s efforts to increase electricity access in underserved and unserved communities
across Nigeria.
