Isaac Fayose has advised his elder brother, former Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose, to decline his recent appointment as Chairman of the Board of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), arguing that the position does not reflect his political standing and experience.
Isaac made the appeal in a video posted on his verified Instagram page on Monday, where he maintained that the former governor deserved a more prominent federal appointment.
His comments came shortly after the Presidency announced the appointment of Ayo Fayose as Chairman of the REA Board as part of a broader list of appointments to federal agencies and commissions.
According to the announcement by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Fayose will chair the REA Board alongside Ahmadu Abubakar and Ilyasu Ibrahim Makinta as non-executive directors. The agency’s Director-General, Abba Abubakar Aliyu, and three executive directors remain on the board.
Reacting to the development, Isaac questioned why his brother was not considered for what he described as a more influential role within the Federal Government.
“They said they gave my brother a DG, DG, not a minister, not ambassador. They said they gave him DG, head of parastatal, chairman of a committee. They no see give him minister, they no give him ambassador,” he said.
He also referenced former presidential aide Reno Omokri while making his argument.
“Even Reno Omokri sef, they gave him ambassador. They couldn’t give my brother ambassador,” he added.
Isaac further questioned the significance of the appointment, asking why his brother was offered the chairmanship of a federal agency instead of a cabinet-level position.
“So why just chairman of a parastatal?” he asked.
During the video, Isaac also suggested that the timing of the appointment was connected to the recent visit of Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, to his residence.
“They gave my brother DG because Obi came on Saturday to visit me. So they said, no, we must enter that family,” he claimed.
However, he did not provide evidence to support the allegation, and the Presidency has not linked the appointment to Obi’s visit.
Isaac also recalled conversations he previously had with his brother after he completed his tenure as governor, insisting that Ayo Fayose had repeatedly stated he was no longer interested in holding public office.
“But 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.
He noted that the former governor had established himself in business before entering politics and remained financially successful outside government.
Describing the appointment as a “Greek gift,” Isaac questioned why it was only being offered now.
“Why didn’t they give you appointment since? Why did they wait till Obi come?” he asked.
Despite his criticism, Isaac congratulated his brother on the appointment but urged him to allow one of his children to benefit from the opportunity instead.
“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.
Isaac also expressed confidence in the opposition ahead of the 2027 general elections, stating that he believes the political landscape is changing.
“I am ready to see it through. And I know what we have on ground in Nigeria today. Election, we have 62 per cent, total vote cast, free and fair, credible,” he said.
As of the time of filing this report, Ayo Fayose has not publicly responded to his brother’s remarks or indicated whether he intends to accept or decline the appointment.
