A fresh clash has erupted between former President Olusegun Obasanjo and ex-Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose after a heated exchange followed Fayose’s 65th birthday celebration in Lagos.
The tension spilled into public view on Monday when Obasanjo revealed a scathing “Thank You” message sent by Fayose, in which the former governor wrote, “someone once said you are supposed to be kept away in the zoo. Sincerely, that’s where you belong.”
The message, which Fayose delivered after Obasanjo’s appearance at the event, sharply criticised the 89-year-old former president’s remarks during the celebration.
Fayose accused Obasanjo of making “very irresponsible comments” and suggested he was exhibiting “the heightened stage of dementia.”
He added that he intentionally remained silent during the event to show Nigerians “the difference between a sane man and a mad man.”
Fayose also demanded that Obasanjo return the money sent to facilitate his attendance, saying since the former president admitted publicly to receiving it, “your leopard will never change its skin.”
Obasanjo, in his reply, confirmed that the money had been returned through the same aide who delivered it.
He thanked Fayose for what he described as a message that “undisguisedly revealed who and what you are.”
Speaking earlier at the birthday gathering, Obasanjo reminded Fayose of their long-running disputes, saying the former governor had a history of hurling abuses at him without remorse.
He explained that despite the strained relationship, he eventually agreed to attend after Fayose first sent former minister Osita Chidoka to approach him, followed by a later visit through another associate.
Obasanjo also recounted his past warnings to Fayose during his governorship, especially regarding a government poultry project he said was fraught with inconsistencies and later collapsed.
In a video from the event now circulating online, he urged Fayose to seek genuine repentance and embrace humility going forward.
