Former Ekiti governor Ayodele Fayose has accused ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo of irresponsibility following mocking remarks at Fayose's 65th birthday celebration in Lagos. In a public letter, Fayose demanded a refund of transport money and suggested Obasanjo belongs in a zoo. Obasanjo dismissed the response and confirmed returning the funds.
The public spat between Ayodele Fayose and Olusegun Obasanjo erupted after the former president's speech at Fayose's 65th birthday event in Lagos over the weekend. Obasanjo mocked a poultry project Fayose initiated during his tenure as Ekiti State governor, reviving old tensions from their past disagreements.
Fayose, who stayed silent during the celebration, later released a letter condemning Obasanjo's words. '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,' parts of the letter read.
Fayose further claimed Obasanjo's behavior indicated a 'heightened stage of dementia' and highlighted his choice of silence to contrast sanity with madness. He also requested a refund of money provided for Obasanjo's transport, noting the ex-president's public admission of receiving it. 'Lastly, I shall appreciate if you return my money since you publicly admitted you received but Dangote brought you back,' Fayose wrote.
Obasanjo's media aide released a brief reply, stating the letter exposed Fayose's unchanging nature. The former president confirmed he had returned the unopened envelope via the individual who delivered it.
This exchange underscores a fraught relationship dating to the early 2000s, when Fayose governed Ekiti under Obasanjo's presidency. Conflicts have involved corruption allegations, political shifts, and national issues. Obasanjo, active in public discourse since 2007, has recently criticized various state projects as wasteful, prompting similar confrontations.