Isaac Fayose has urged his elder brother, former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose, to decline his appointment as Chairman of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) Board and instead allow his son to take up the position, describing the role as one that falls below the former governor’s political standing.
Isaac made the remarks in a video posted on his Instagram page on Monday while reacting to the Presidency’s announcement appointing Ayo Fayose and 25 others into the boards of 10 federal agencies and commissions.
According to a statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Fayose was appointed chairman of the REA Board alongside Ahmadu Abubakar and Ilyasu Ibrahim Makinta as non-executive directors, while the agency’s Director-General, Abba Abubakar Aliyu, and three executive directors were retained.
Reacting to the appointment, Isaac questioned why his brother was not considered for what he described as higher offices.
“They said they gave my brother DG, not a minister, not ambassador. They said they gave him DG, head of parastatal, chairman of a committee. They no give him minister, they no give him ambassador,” he said.
He also compared the appointment with that of former presidential aide Reno Omokri, whom he claimed was made an ambassador.
“Even Reno Omokri sef, they gave him ambassador. They couldn’t give my brother ambassador. So why just chairman of a parastatal?” he asked.
Isaac further suggested that the timing of the appointment was connected to the recent visit of Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) 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 said.
Peter Obi had visited Isaac Fayose days after the businessman publicly threatened to withdraw his support for the former Anambra State governor’s presidential ambition. During the visit, Isaac described Obi as Nigeria’s “incoming president,” while Obi responded to criticism directed at Isaac on social media.
Isaac also recalled that his brother had previously told him he would not seek or accept government appointments after leaving office.
“My brother told me, ‘Isaac, whenever I leave Government House, I will not be a minister, I will not be DG, I will not be senator. I will face my business,’” he said.
He noted that Ayo Fayose had built a successful business career before entering politics and remained financially independent after leaving office.
Describing the appointment as a “Greek gift,” Isaac questioned why it came only after Obi’s visit.
“Why didn’t they give you appointment since? Why did they wait till Obi came?” he asked.
Despite his reservations, Isaac congratulated his brother but advised him to hand the appointment over to his son 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, using a Yoruba expression that loosely translates to “You are a kingmaker.“
