Former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, has reopened his long–running feud with ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo, barely two days after both men publicly appeared to have ended years of political hostilities.
The fresh outburst came in a ‘Thank You’ message Fayose reportedly sent to Obasanjo after the former president attended his 65th birthday celebration in Lagos on Saturday.
At the event, Obasanjo had taken a swipe at Fayose while recalling the efforts made to broker peace between them.
He noted that the ex-governor had sent several emissaries—including former Aviation Minister, Osita Chidoka—to persuade him to accept the invitation.
“You are not the best of my political children, but you have made achievements that must not be ignored,” Obasanjo said while recounting how Fayose and his wife sought forgiveness for past disagreements.
According to Obasanjo, Fayose approached the reconciliation cautiously, sending intermediaries before eventually visiting him in Abeokuta.
He also recalled chiding Fayose and his wife, noting that both admitted their faults during the reconciliation process.
Obasanjo said he chose to let bygones be bygones, reminding Fayose that attaining the age of 65 was worth celebrating, and advising him to mend fences with others he may have offended.
Throughout Obasanjo’s remarks at the birthday event, Fayose remained visibly calm.
However, in a dramatic twist, Fayose launched a blistering attack in a subsequent message, accusing the former president of making “very irresponsible comments” at the event.
According to a statement issued by Obasanjo’s media aide, Kehinde Akinyemi, Fayose described the former president in unflattering terms and questioned his mental state.
Part of the message attributed to Fayose reads, “Your coming to my birthday party, I appreciate, except for your very irresponsible comments at your age. You went so low… It is also obvious that you have lost your sanity or are at a heightened stage of dementia.”
He also demanded a refund of money he claimed Obasanjo had previously acknowledged receiving.
In a brief response, Obasanjo said Fayose’s message only confirmed his “unchanged and unchangeable” disposition, adding that the money had been returned through the intermediary who delivered it.
“Ayo, thanks for your ‘Thank You’ message which undisguisedly revealed who and what you are… Your money has been sent back unopened,” Obasanjo wrote.