‘You Are Very Irresponsible’, Fayose Goes Nuclear, Calls Obasanjo “Zoo Material” In Explosive ‘Thank You’ Message After 65th Birthday Attendance

Abeokuta, Ogun State– Former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, has stirred up fresh controversy after launching a blistering assault on ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo in what was supposed to be a “thank you” message for attending his 65th birthday celebration.

In a text message made public on Monday through Kehinde Akinyemi, Obasanjo’s media aide, Fayose berated the former leader as someone who “belongs in the zoo” and suffering from heightened dementia.

The message, seen by Afrika Eyes, reads in part: “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. You went so low but am not surprised because someone once said you are supposed be kept away in the zoo. Sincerely thats where you belong.”

Fayose further accused Obasanjo of being a “mad man” and claimed he only held back from a confrontation during the birthday event to allow the world to know the difference between a sane and a mad man.

“I kept quiet or did not reply you at the function so that the world will know the difference between a sane and a mad man that you are.It is also obvious that you have also lost your sanity OR should I say is the heightened stage of dementia.Not to worry Baba., I shall set the records straight in due course of time.Lastly I shall appreciate if you return my money since you publicly admitted you received but Dangote brought u back. “Your leopard will never change his skin”, the letter reads.

He also accused the former president of holding onto money given to him and demanded its return, referencing a statement allegedly made by Obasanjo at the event about receiving funds but being brought back to integrity by business mogul Aliko Dangote.

Obasanjo, however, delivered a calm but sharp response. In his reply, he thanked Fayose for the “thank you message, noting that it undisguisedly revealed who and what you are, unchanged and unchangeable.

“Ayo, thanks for your “Thank You” message which undisguisedly revealed who and what you are, unchanged and unchangeable. 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.”

Meanwhile, Obasanjo had reflected on the past mistakes of former Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose while also commending his contributions to Nigeria’s political landscape.

Obasanjo made the remarks during Fayose’s 65th birthday celebration on Saturday.

“You are not the best of my political children, you are not,” Obasanjo said to Mr Fayose during his closing remarks. “But you have made achievements that must not be ignored.”

For nearly two decades, the two men have harbored deep animosity. Their feud dates back to 2006, when Fayose and his then-deputy governor, Abiodun Olujimi, were removed from office by the state House of Assembly.

Fayose has long accused then-President Obasanjo of orchestrating the plot to oust him from office.

Obasanjo said the former governor had come to him at least twice to apologise for his wrongdoings and he forgave him, but that “it (insults) didn’t stop.”

He said at one time, Fayose was accompanied by his wife to seek forgiveness at former Osun State Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola’s residence.

However, he said, “even when you were abusing me, I still took an interest in your welfare.”

He added that during the controversy over Fayose’s academic qualifications, he publicly defended him.

He urged Fayose to reach out to anyone he might have wronged and ask for forgiveness, while also forgiving those who may have offended him.

The former president also expressed his surprise upon receiving the invitation from Mr. Fayose.

He noted that Fayose initially contacted him through former transportation minister Osita Chidoka, whom he described as his political protégé.

“When Osita came to me and said, ‘Ayo,’ I asked, ‘Ayo who?’ He said Ayo Fayose. I told him to tell him, the message has been delivered.”

He noted that  Fayose called him afterwards, and he told him that he could come anytime to see him. Obasanjo said, “Everybody should learn a lesson from that,” adding that the former governor still took precaution before coming to see him.

“You did not come directly to knock at my door,” the retired army general said. “You sent Folusho as an emissary to feel the pulse and about an hour later, you came,” Obasanjo said.

The former president recalled that Fayose subsequently visited him to further persuade him to attend the birthday celebration.

According to Obasanjo, during their meeting at his residence, Fayose telephoned his own wife and handed the phone to Obasanjo to let her talk to him on the birthday invitation. Obasanjo said he took the opportunity to scold the couple over his past grievances.

“I told your wife, ‘Madam, you and your husband, you are not ‘Omoluabi’ (responsible). She admitted and said ‘Baba, you are right. Please, forgive us.’ Then, when you get that, what else can I do?” The former president said with reference to a Yoruba adage that a ‘badly-behaved child cannot be chased into the lion’s den.’

But after making up his mind to honour the invitation, Obasanjo said he was advised against attending the ceremony due to their frosty relationship.

“Before I started coming here, some people called me and said, ‘We heard that you are going to Ayo Fayose’s birthday (celebration). Can’t you remember that he abused you?’ I said, ‘Thank you for reminding me,’” Obasanjo added.