The appointment of former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the head of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) has triggered widespread reactions across social media, with Nigerians expressing divergent opinions over the development.
Within minutes of the announcement, social media platforms became flooded with congratulatory messages, political analyses, scepticism and humorous remarks, reflecting the polarised views that often trail high-profile political appointments.
While some commentators congratulated the former governor, others interpreted the appointment as part of the political calculations ahead of the 2027 general elections.
One Facebook user, James T. Kanan, linked the appointment to the activities of the former PDP governors known as the G-5, suggesting that members of the group were gradually being rewarded for their political roles during the 2023 elections.
“Remain one person (Dr. Samuel Ortom) now; the G-5 group is gradually getting rewarded one after another,” he wrote.
Another user, Edward Onyekwere, described the move as “2027 game,” adding that President Tinubu remained a “game master” in Nigerian politics.
Similarly, Gabriel Benard suggested that Fayose’s recent public comments and political posture may have been motivated by expectations of political reward.
Others viewed the appointment as a demonstration of political pragmatism.
A user identified as “Yoruba Ronu” remarked that politics thrives on loyalty and strategic alliances rather than academic qualifications, saying the appointment underscored the realities of political bargaining.
Latunde David Lapade also congratulated Fayose, posting, “Who go bless you no go stress you,” while Wuese Tinex described the development as a case of “the rejected stone becoming the cornerstone.”
Some reactions were laced with humour.
Oladele Peter Moses expressed hope that the appointment would translate into improved electricity supply in Ekiti’s rural communities, joking that “at least the villages in Ekiti will get electricity.”
Another user, Peter Sunday, alleged that Fayose’s political support for the Tinubu administration had finally paid off, while another commenter wrote that the former governor had “deserved” the appointment.
Congratulatory messages also poured in from supporters, with Clement Oni, Kolawole Joshua Fayomi, and Oyinniyi Tunji Fabusola among those who wished Fayose success in his new role.
However, some users criticised the development, questioning the political implications of appointing a prominent opposition figure to a federal position under an All Progressives Congress (APC)-led administration. Others described the move as another indication of the fluid nature of Nigeria’s political landscape, where cross-party collaborations have increasingly become common.
The mixed reactions underscore the public interest generated by appointments involving influential politicians, particularly those whose political careers have crossed party lines.
As of press time, neither President Tinubu nor Fayose had publicly responded to the growing social media debate surrounding the appointment.
The Rural Electrification Agency plays a strategic role in expanding electricity access to underserved and off-grid communities across Nigeria, making its leadership a position of significant national importance.
