Isaac Fayose, younger brother to former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, has issued a scathing response to Lere Olayinka, a former media aide and political ally of the ex-governor. This comes after Olayinka claimed that Ayodele Fayose was the only “Fayose” known in Nigerian politics.
In a passionate and pointed statement, Isaac Fayose refuted the claim, asserting that the Fayose legacy predates Ayodele Fayose’s political career and is rooted in the entrepreneurial achievements of their father, the late Pa Olorunfemi Oluwayose.
“My father, the late Pa Olorunfemi Oluwayose, was the first Ekiti man to own a bookstore in the old Western Region,” Isaac said. “He had his estate in Ibadan and his legacy remains verifiable. Governor Akeredolu’s father once worked as a manager in my father’s bookstore, Orilonise Bookstore.”
Fayose also noted that the prominent legal luminary and philanthropist, Afe Babalola, once lived in their family house and was assisted by his father in settling in Ibadan.
He continued by emphasizing the values instilled in them by their father:
“My father didn’t give birth to cobblers or data boys. He gave birth to great children. That’s why Ayo was able to leverage our name and build on that foundation to become governor.”
Firing shots at Olayinka’s political affiliations and apparent sycophancy, Isaac criticized the culture of idolizing public servants in Nigeria.
“In my country, the UK, public officers are servant-leaders. We don’t worship them like gods. You’re paid from public funds — like the ground rent I pay in Abuja.”
Isaac’s remarks have since stirred political chatter online, reigniting debates around family legacy, political loyalty, and class in Nigerian politics.
Lere Olayinka is yet to reply to Fayose’s claims.
