Former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, has linked the lack of electricity in rural communities to early nights and increased population growth.

Fayose made the statement 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, Fayose said many people in rural communities had few recreational activities at night because of the lack of electricity.

According to him, most residents go to bed early because their communities become dark after 7pm.

He said, “Why don’t you 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 providing electricity in rural areas would give residents more options for entertainment and recreation outside their homes.

He added that improved electricity supply would encourage nightlife and allow people to spend more time outside their homes.

“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.

Fayose spoke as he assumed leadership of the REA board, which is responsible for improving electricity access in communities that are not adequately served by the national power grid.

He was sworn in alongside other members of the REA governing board by the Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe.

Ahmadu Abubakar and Ilyasu Makinta were also inaugurated as board members, alongside three other non-executive directors.

Abba Aliyu was formally installed as the Managing Director of the Rural Electrification Agency.