Segun Atanda/
What began as a colourful birthday bash for former Ekiti State governor, Ayodele Fayose, swiftly transformed into a verbal bash after former President Olusegun Obasanjo used his goodwill remarks to deliver sharp jabs that reopened old hostilities, triggering an explosive, insult-laden response from Fayose much later.
The dramatic exchange spilled into the public after a fiery “thank you” message, sent by Fayose to Obasanjo after the event, was released to journalists in Abeokuta by the ex-president’s Special Assistant on Media, Kehinde Akinyemi.
The SMS, anything but polite, accused the 87-year-old former leader of making “very irresponsible comments” at the celebration.
“Dear Baba Obasanjo, I trust this meets you well. Your coming to my birthday party, I appreciate except for your very irresponsible comments at your age,” Fayose wrote in the scathing message.
He went further, delivering personal insults: “You went so low but I am not surprised because someone once said you are supposed to be kept away in the zoo. Sincerely, that’s where you belong.”
The former governor said he held his tongue at the event “so the world will know the difference between a sane and a mad man,” adding that Obasanjo’s comments were signs of “heightened dementia.”
Fayose also demanded a refund of money he claimed to have given Obasanjo for transportation from Kigali after the former president publicly acknowledged receiving the funds.
“Lastly, I shall appreciate if you return my money since you publicly admitted you received but Dangote brought you back,” Fayose said. “Your leopard will never change his skin.”
Obasanjo responded with a characteristically clipped but potent retort, dismissing Fayose’s tirade as a reflection of who he truly is.
“Ayo, thanks for your ‘Thank You’ message which undisguisedly revealed who and what you are, unchanged and unchangeable,” he replied.
He confirmed returning the money: “Your money has been sent back through Foluso Adeagbo who brought it and in the same bag as he brought it, unopened by me. OBJ.”
Obasanjo’s comments at the event, which observers described as a mix of Yoruba proverbs, political reminders, and pointed humour, appeared to be the spark.
He recounted how Fayose once attacked him politically, how intermediaries had to beg for reconciliation, and how the former governor’s wife disarmed him by appealing for forgiveness.
“In Yorubaland, we have a saying, ‘Wọn kì í le ọmọ burúkú fún ẹkùn pajé’ (You don’t chase a bad child to a leopard to feed on),” Obasanjo joked.
He revealed Fayose used former Aviation Minister Osita Chidoka to invite him, then phoned his wife to apologise, after which Obasanjo said he forgave him.
Obasanjo also narrated the money angle: “I told you I couldn’t use my retirement money to board a plane from Kigali. You sent money through Foluso. But maybe it is of interest to you, Aliko gave me a plane that brought me from Rwanda this morning. So, your money is with me.”
What should have been a celebration of Fayose’s 65 years on earth has now snowballed into one of the most dramatic political exchanges of the year.
Observers say Obasanjo’s remarks may have been delivered playfully, but they cut deep, reviving old wounds. Fayose’s response, however, shows that their reconciliation, if it ever existed, may have been fragile.
The episode once again places two of Southwest Nigeria’s most outspoken political figures at the centre of national attention, this time, over a birthday bash that has drawn a backlash.
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