Former Ekiti State Governor, Ayo Fayose, revealed that he was so angered by former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s remarks at his 65th birthday celebration that he briefly felt like grabbing the microphone and hitting him with it.
At Mr Fayose’s birthday celebration in Lagos, Obasanjo touched on their long-standing feud, referring to Mr Fayose as not the best of his political protégés, while also acknowledging his political achievements.
Days later, Mr Fayose sent a message to Obasanjo, accusing him of making irresponsible comments at the event.
In an interview with AF24 News, posted on its YouTube channel on Monday, Mr Fayose recounted the events that occurred at his birthday celebration, noting that Obasanjo again reflected on their political feud and described him as not the best of his protégés, even while recognising his accomplishments.
He said he was enraged and felt like taking the microphone from Obasanjo’s hand and hitting him on the head.
Mr Fayose explained that two weeks before the ceremony, he had resolved to reconcile with several political rivals, aiming to put past differences behind them.
He noted that he reached out to Obasanjo through a mutual friend, Osita Chidoka, who provided the former president’s contact.
However, he stressed that the call was not an apology, insisting that he had not offended Obasanjo and that if anyone should apologise, it was Obasanjo, who had removed him from office.
Mr Fayose said Obasanjo received him warmly at his residence days before the event and assured him of his attendance despite another engagement in Rwanda.
At Obasanjo’s request, Fayose arranged funds for his travel logistics.
They took pictures together, all in good faith.
Mr Fayose changed $20,000 and gave it to him, questioning how someone could accept another person’s money and then act disrespectfully.
He explained that tension arose when Obasanjo insisted on speaking last at the event, placing himself after the Vice-President, which made him suspicious.
According to Fayose, Obasanjo later directed the moderator to invite Vice President Kashim Shettima before him and requested that Fayose and his wife stand beside him throughout a speech that lasted one hour and 14 minutes.
The former governor described the speech as filled with subtle jabs and wondered how such things could be said to a man on his 65th birthday.
He said that to show maturity, not by age but by self-respect and out of consideration for the vice-president’s presence, he kept his cool.
Mr Fayose added that his efforts to reconcile with Obasanjo were made in good conscience, but the former president’s conduct demonstrated he had no interest in peace.
He said that if he had known it would end this way, he would not have needed Obasanjo at all, questioning whether he was contesting an election or needed Obasanjo’s validation, concluding that he did not.
