A sharp political firestorm has erupted after former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose publicly rebuked former President Olusegun Obasanjo in a scathing “thank you” message following Obasanjo’s attendance at Fayose’s 65th birthday celebration.
Fayose’s message followed comments by the former President (mostly in Yoruba language) where he berated Fayose for his attitude toward him. He added how the former Ekiti Governor invited him for the birthday bash, but he declined to use his retirement benefits to fund his journey from Kigali, Rwanda.
Fayose, he added, sent him money for the trip but he ended up using an aircraft provided by Aliko Dangote.
Insults in gratitude: Though Fayose’s note is framed as a thank-you message, Fayose used it to heavily criticise Obasanjo’s conduct at the event. He described Obasanjo’s remarks as “very irresponsible,” especially given his age. Below is Obasanjo’s remarks at the party at the weekend:
In one of the most provocative lines, Fayose wrote that Obasanjo “belongs … in the zoo.”
Fayose accused Obasanjo of having “lost [his] sanity,” further suggesting he is suffering from a “heightened stage of dementia.”
He said he deliberately held back at the birthday event “so that the world would know the difference between a sane and a mad man.”
Fayose demanded the return of money he claims Obasanjo publicly acknowledged receiving. He referenced a previous intervention by billionaire Aliko Dangote, saying the money was “brought back” by Dangote.
Closing his message, Fayose added: “Your leopard will never change its skin” — a proverb implying unchanging behavior.
He vowed to “set the records straight in due course,” indicating this may just be the beginning of a broader rebuttal.
Obasanjo’s Response
Obasanjo, through his media aide Kehinde Akinyemi, replied briefly but firmly. “Ayo, thanks for your ‘Thank You’ message, which undisguisedly revealed who and what you are, unchanged and unchangeable.”
He confirmed that the money Fayose referenced was returned via Foluso Adeagbo, the same person who delivered it — “in the same bag … unopened.”
At the birthday, Obasanjo reportedly reflected on their long, tumultuous relationship. He stated that despite Fayose’s past insults, he had forgiven him.
Obasanjo alleged that Fayose did not invite him directly to the event — instead, he sent Osita Chidoka, a former minister, as an intermediary.
He recalled warning Fayose during his tenure about a poultry project he deemed fraudulent, and urged him to embrace humility, repentance, and integrity.
A Long-Standing, Rocky Relationship
The verbal volley is not unprecedented. Fayose and Obasanjo have had a fraught relationship spanning almost two decades, marked by political clashes, public insults, and brief periods of rapprochement.
Obasanjo stated he had sought reconciliation many times, but expressed disappointment that Fayose continues to attack him despite his repeated overtures.
Some analysts suggest this latest showdown may have implications for the 2027 political landscape, given both men’s influence and their history.
The exchange between both mengenerated significant media coverage, sparking conversations about respect, age, mental fitness, and accountability in Nigerian politics.
Fayose’s rhetoric centers on delegitimising Obasanjo’s moral and mental authority, while Obasanjo’s reply frames Fayose as unrepentant and untrustworthy.
Some observers suggest that The dispute over money adds another layer — questions about financial gifts, political patronage, and the propriety of such transactions continue to loom.
The public feud between Ayodele Fayose and Olusegun Obasanjo underscores not just personal animosities, but broader themes about political maturity, respect for former leaders, and financial accountability.
What may have started as a birthday celebration has now escalated into a full-blown war of words — with both men drawing clear lines about how they see each other and their relationship.
