“You’re too big for REA chairmanship”- Isaac Fayose tells ex-governor brother

Isaac Fayose has urged his elder brother, former Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose, to decline his appointment as Chairman of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) Board, arguing that the position is beneath his political standing.

Mr Isaac made the remarks in a video posted on his Instagram page on Monday while reacting to the Presidency’s announcement appointing Ayo Fayose as chairman of the REA board alongside 25 others into the leadership of 10 federal agencies and commissions.

According to a statement by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Ayo Fayose will chair the REA board alongside Ahmadu Abubakar and Ilyasu Ibrahim Makinta as non-executive directors.

The statement also confirmed that the agency’s Director-General, Abba Abubakar Aliyu, and three executive directors would retain their positions.

‘You deserve a bigger role’

Reacting to the appointment, Isaac Fayose questioned why his brother was offered the chairmanship of a federal agency instead of what he described as more senior positions.

“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 also compared the appointment with that of Reno Omokri, whom he claimed was appointed 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.

Links appointment to Peter Obi’s visit

Mr Isaac suggested that the timing of the appointment was connected to the recent visit of Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), 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 younger Fayose publicly threatened to withdraw his support before reaffirming his backing for the opposition candidate.

Recalls brother’s earlier position

Mr Isaac also recalled that Ayo Fayose had previously insisted he would not seek or accept political appointments after leaving office.

According to him, the former governor had pledged to return to private business rather than become a minister, senator or director-general.

“My brother told me… when 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 was already financially successful before entering politics and described the latest appointment as a “Greek gift.”

Advises brother to reject appointment

Mr Isaac congratulated his brother but urged him to hand the appointment to his son instead of accepting it.

“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, describing his brother as a kingmaker.

Predicts opposition victory

Beyond the appointment, Isaac Fayose reiterated his confidence that the opposition would perform strongly in the 2027 general election.

He claimed the opposition already had significant electoral support and dismissed fears that the election outcome could be manipulated.

“I am ready to see it through… I’m not scared. They are scared of what they don’t know,” he added.