“You’re too big for REA chairmanship” – Fayose’s brother tells ex-governor
Isaac Fayose has directed his elder brother, Ayo Fayose, to pass over his newly announced Rural Electrification Agency chairmanship to his son.
He claimed the former Ekiti State governor was too politically influential for such a position.
The younger Fayose made the statement in a video posted on his Instagram page on Monday, in response to the Presidency’s announcement that his brother had been chosen chairman of the REA board, along with 25 others named to the leadership of ten government agencies and commissions.
According to a statement from the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Fayose will chair the board alongside Ahmadu Abubakar and Ilyasu Ibrahim Makinta as non-executive directors, with the agency’s current Director-General, Abba Abubakar Aliyu, and three executive directors remaining.
Isaac began his role by contrasting the chairmanship with the more prominent positions he considered his brother merited, adding, “They said they gave my brother a DG, not a minister, not an ambassador.”
He protested that the appointment did not match his brother’s status, saying, “They said they gave him DG, head of parastatal, chairman of a committee.” They don’t give him ministers or ambassadors.”
He made a contrast to a government critic-turned-appointee, saying, “Even Reno Omokri sef, they gave him ambassador.” They couldn’t give my brother ambassador,” and then pressed the argument further, saying, “So why only chairman of a parastatal?”
Isaac linked the appointment to a weekend visit from former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi.
He explained, “They gave my brother DG since Obi paid me a visit on Saturday. So they replied, “No, we must join that family.”
He said that his brother had long stated that he had no interest in official jobs after leaving office, quoting him as saying that whenever he left government, he would not become a minister, director-general, or senator, but would instead return to his private company.
He stated, “But my brother, Ayodele Peter Fayose, informed me, ‘Isaac, when I leave this government home, I will not be a minister, DG, senator, or anything. I’ll handle my business.”
Isaac highlighted that his brother had been financially independent long before running for office, adding that he had been a billionaire since “when I was a baby, and had continued to do well in private business.”
He referred to the appointment as a “Greek gift” and questioned the timing directly, asking, “Why haven’t they given you an appointment since? “Why did they wait until Obi arrived?”
He told his brother, “I know you won’t take this. But if you accept it, who am I? Who am I? “Omo Oba.”
He then congratulated him, but advised him to pass the role on instead.
He said, “Congratulations on your appointment. You should give your son. Please do not use that type of appointment. You’re too big for that. Afobaje ni e” is loosely translated as “you are a kingmaker.”
Aside from the appointment, Isaac utilized the post to reiterate his belief in the opposition’s chances in the 2027 general election.
He said, “I’m prepared to see it through. And I am aware of the current situation in Nigeria. We had a 62% turnout in the election, which was free and fair and credible.”
He denied any manipulation of the vote and stated, “I’m not scared.” “They are afraid of what they do not know.”