Businessman and social commentator Isaac Fayose has publicly urged his elder brother, former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose, to decline his newly announced appointment as Chairman of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), insisting the position is beneath the former governor’s political stature.
Isaac made the appeal in a video posted on his Instagram page on Monday while reacting to President Bola Tinubu’s latest round of appointments into several federal agencies and commissions.
‘You Deserve More Than This’
The Presidency had earlier announced Ayodele Fayose’s appointment in a statement issued by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
Alongside Fayose, Ahmadu Abubakar and Ilyasu Ibrahim Makinta were appointed as non-executive directors of the REA board, while the agency’s Director-General, Abba Abubakar Aliyu, and three executive directors retained their positions.
However, Isaac questioned why his brother, a former governor and influential political figure, was offered what he described as a relatively low-profile appointment.
According to him, Fayose deserved a more prominent national role.
“They said they gave my brother DG… not minister, not ambassador,” Isaac said in the video.
“They made him chairman of a parastatal. The FG couldn’t make him a minister or even appoint him ambassador.”
Drawing a comparison, Isaac claimed that former presidential aide Reno Omokri had been appointed ambassador, wondering why a similar position was not offered to his brother.
“So why chairman of a parastatal?” he asked.
Links Appointment To Peter Obi’s Visit
Isaac also stirred controversy by suggesting that the timing of the appointment was politically motivated.
According to him, the announcement came shortly after Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi paid him a visit, prompting the government to strengthen its relationship with the Fayose family.
“They gave my brother this appointment because Obi came to visit me on Saturday. They said they must enter that family,” he alleged.
Describing the appointment as a “Greek gift,” Isaac questioned why it had not been offered earlier if it was genuinely based on merit.
“Why didn’t they appoint you before? Why did they wait until Obi came?” he asked.
‘You Promised To Face Your Business’
Isaac further reminded Nigerians that his brother had long maintained he would stay away from government appointments after leaving office as governor.
He recalled conversations in which Fayose allegedly insisted he would focus entirely on his private business rather than seek another political office.
“My brother told me that after leaving Government House, he wouldn’t become a minister, senator or DG. He said he would simply face his business,” Isaac stated.
He added that the former governor had built a successful business career before entering politics and remained financially independent.
‘Give The Appointment To Your Son’
Despite congratulating his brother, Isaac appealed to him not to accept the appointment personally.
Instead, he urged him to allow his son to take up the opportunity.
“I know you won’t take it. But if you do, who am I to question you?” he said.
“Congratulations on your appointment, but you should give it to your son. Please don’t take that kind of appointment yourself. You are too big for it.”
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Isaac concluded with the Yoruba expression “Afobaje ni e,” a phrase commonly used to describe someone regarded as a kingmaker or a highly influential political figure.
Confident About 2027 Elections
Beyond the appointment controversy, Isaac also spoke about the country’s political future, expressing confidence that the opposition would perform strongly in the 2027 general elections.
He claimed the opposition already had widespread support across the country and dismissed fears that the electoral process could be manipulated.
“I know what we have on the ground today. We have the numbers,” he said.
“I’m not scared. They are the ones who are afraid of what they don’t know.”
His comments come as political activities ahead of the 2027 elections continue to gather momentum, with alignments, appointments and public endorsements increasingly shaping the national conversation.