Isaac Fayose Calls on Brother to Decline Federal Appointment
Isaac Fayose, the younger brother of former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose, has publicly urged the ex-governor to reject his recent appointment as chairman of the board of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA). In a video posted to his Instagram page on Monday, Isaac described the offer as a "Greek gift" and advised his brother to hand the role to his son instead.
The appointment was announced by the Presidency as part of a list of 26 individuals named to lead 10 federal agencies and commissions. According to a statement from Bayo Onanuga, the President's Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Ayo Fayose would chair the REA board alongside non-executive directors Ahmadu Abubakar and Ilyasu Ibrahim Makinta. The agency's Director-General, Abba Abubakar Aliyu, along with three executive directors, would retain their positions.
Isaac Questions Timing and Significance of Appointment
Isaac expressed dissatisfaction with the nature of the appointment, arguing that it did not reflect his brother's political stature. "They said they gave my brother DG, head of parastatal, chairman of a committee. They no see give him minister, they no give him ambassador," he said. He pointed out that even Reno Omokri, a former government critic who later accepted an appointment, had been offered an ambassadorial role, while Ayo Fayose received a lesser position. "So why just chairman of a parastatal?" Isaac asked.
The younger Fayose also linked the timing of the announcement to a visit by former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi to his home on Saturday, July 18. "They gave my brother DG because Obi came on Saturday to visit me. So they said, no, we must enter that family," Isaac claimed. According to Punch Online, Isaac had hailed Obi as Nigeria's "incoming president" during that visit, shortly after threatening to withdraw his support for the politician.
Recall of a Personal Vow
Isaac reminded viewers of a promise his brother had made years ago. "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 recounted. Isaac noted that Ayo Fayose had been a billionaire before entering public office and had continued to manage his private business successfully.
Calling the offer a "Greek gift," Isaac questioned why the appointment had not come sooner. He congratulated his brother but was blunt in his advice: "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," meaning "you are a kingmaker."
Political Confidence Ahead of 2027 Elections
Isaac also used the post to signal his confidence ahead of the 2027 general elections, claiming that the opposition held 62 per cent of the total vote in a free and fair contest. "I'm not scared… They are scared of what they don't know," he said.
Background: Tinubu Announces 26 Appointments
Earlier, Legit.ng reported that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu announced 26 new appointments across 10 federal agencies and commissions. Former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose was named as chairman of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA). The appointments are part of the administration's efforts to restructure key government bodies.
