Former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, has blamed the lack of electricity in rural communities for early bedtimes, limited nightlife and what he described as rising population growth.
Fayose spoke on Friday in Abuja after being inaugurated as Chairman of the Rural Electrification Agency board.
In a video shared by ARISE News on Saturday, Fayose said the lack of electricity had reduced recreational activities in rural areas, leaving residents with little to do at night but stay indoors.
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 said electricity would allow rural residents to stay out later, support nightlife and provide 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 as he assumed leadership of the REA board, which is tasked with expanding electricity access to underserved and unserved communities across Nigeria.
Power Minister Joseph Tegbe swore in Fayose and other board members.
Ahmadu Abubakar and Ilyasu Makinta were inaugurated as members, alongside three other non-executive directors. Abba Aliyu was also formally installed as the agency’s Managing Director.
