Isaac Fayose, younger brother of former Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose, has advised him to relinquish his newly announced appointment as chairman of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) board, arguing that the position does not match his political stature.
Isaac made the comment in a video shared on his Instagram page on Monday, following the Presidency’s announcement that Ayo Fayose was among those appointed to chair the boards of 10 federal agencies and commissions.
In the statement announcing the appointments, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said Fayose would serve as REA board chairman alongside Ahmadu Abubakar and Ilyasu Ibrahim Makinta as non-executive directors. The agency’s Director-General, Abba Abubakar Aliyu, and three executive directors were retained.
Reacting to the appointment, Isaac argued that his elder brother deserved a more prominent role, comparing the position with offices such as ministerial and ambassadorial appointments.
“They said they gave my brother DG, DG, not a minister, not ambassador,” he said.
He added, “They said they gave him DG, head of parastatal, chairman of a committee. They no see give him minister, they no give him ambassador.”
Isaac also referenced the appointment of former presidential aide Reno Omokri as an ambassador, questioning why Fayose was not given a similar role.
“Even Reno Omokri sef, they gave him ambassador. They couldn’t give my brother ambassador. So why just chairman of a parastatal?” he asked.
The younger Fayose linked the timing of the appointment to the visit of former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi to his residence over the weekend.
“They gave my brother DG because Obi came on Saturday to visit me. So they said, no, we must enter that family,” he said.
Isaac had earlier described Obi as Nigeria’s “incoming president” during the visit, a comment that generated reactions on social media.
He further recalled that his brother had previously said he would not seek government appointments after leaving office, quoting him as saying he intended to focus on private business.
“My brother told me, Ayodele Peter Fayose, told me, ‘Isaac, when I’m leaving this government house, whenever I leave this government house, I will not be a minister, I will not be DG, I will not be senator, I will not be anything. I will face my business,’” he said.
Isaac said Fayose had achieved financial success before entering politics and remained active in business after leaving office.
“He was already a billionaire when I was a baby and he has continued to do well in private business,” he said.
Describing the appointment as a “Greek gift”, Isaac questioned why it came at this time.
“Why didn’t they give you appointment since? Why did they wait till Obi come?” he asked.
He, however, congratulated his brother while urging him to hand over the role to his son.
“Congrats on your appointment. You better give your son. Please, don’t use that kind of appointment. You are too big for that. Afobaje ni e,” he said, describing Fayose as a kingmaker.
Isaac also used the opportunity to express confidence in the opposition’s chances ahead of the 2027 general election, claiming that the opposition could secure a majority of votes if the process was free and fair.
“Election, we have 62 per cent, total vote cast, free and fair, credible,” he said.
He added, “I’m not scared… They are scared of what they don’t know.”
