Isaac Fayose has publicly urged his elder brother and former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, to reject his appointment as Chairman of the Board of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), describing the position as one that falls below the former governor’s political stature.
In a video posted on his social media platforms on Monday, Isaac reminded the former governor of his long-held declaration that he would never accept another political appointment after leaving office, insisting that Ayo Fayose should remain true to his word.
His comments came shortly after President Bola Tinubu announced the appointment of the former Ekiti governor as Chairman of 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 were retained.
The appointments formed part of a broader list of 26 appointments into the boards of 10 federal agencies and commissions, unveiled by the Presidency through a statement signed by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
Reacting to the development, Isaac Fayose argued that his brother had repeatedly maintained after leaving office that he would return to private business rather than seek or accept government appointments.
According to him, the former governor had vowed that after leaving Government House, he would neither become a minister nor a director-general, nor contest for the Senate, choosing instead to focus on his business interests.
Isaac further stressed that Ayo Fayose was already financially successful long before venturing into politics, describing him as a billionaire who had continued to thrive in private enterprise.
He also questioned the timing of the appointment, suggesting it may have been politically motivated following the recent visit of former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi.
Describing the appointment as a “Greek gift,” Isaac asked why the Federal Government had waited until now to offer his brother a position.
“Why didn’t they give you this appointment before? Why did they wait until Peter Obi came?” he queried.
The younger Fayose further argued that the REA board chairmanship did not reflect his brother’s political weight, noting that he was neither appointed a minister nor an ambassador.
Drawing comparisons with former presidential aide Reno Omokri, Isaac claimed that even Omokri had been offered an ambassadorial position, questioning why his brother was only considered for the chairmanship of a federal agency.
Despite his criticism, Isaac expressed confidence that Ayo Fayose would decline the appointment.
“I know you will not take this appointment. But if you do, who am I to question you?” he said.
He went further to suggest that if the appointment must be accepted, it should instead be handed to one of the former governor’s sons.
“Congratulations on your appointment, but give it to your son. Don’t use this kind of appointment. You are bigger than that. You are a kingmaker,” he declared.
Isaac concluded his remarks by turning attention to the 2027 general elections, expressing optimism that the opposition would emerge victorious if the polls were free, fair and credible.
President Tinubu had earlier approved Ayodele Fayose’s appointment as Chairman of the Rural Electrification Agency Board as part of a fresh round of federal appointments, with the appointments taking immediate effect, according to the Presidency.