A new political feud has erupted between former President Olusegun Obasanjo and ex-Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose following Fayose’s 65th birthday celebration in Ibadan, Oyo State, last Saturday.
The tension reportedly arose from remarks Obasanjo made during the event, which Fayose described as “irresponsible” and publicly insulting.
Although Obasanjo attended the celebration, Fayose claimed the former President demeaned him, prompting him to send a personal SMS expressing his displeasure.
Obasanjo, in turn, made the message public through a statement released by his Special Assistant on Media, Kehinde Akinyemi.
In the SMS, Fayose accused Obasanjo of being in a “heightened stage of dementia” and criticised him for making comments “so low” that they were unworthy of his age. Fayose wrote:
“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…
”I kept quiet at the function so that the world will know the difference between a sane and a mad man that you are.
”Not to worry, Baba, I shall set the records straight in due course.”
He also referred to an unresolved financial issue, urging Obasanjo to return money he had reportedly admitted receiving, adding a pointed remark: “Your leopard will never change his skin.”
Obasanjo responded by describing Fayose’s message as an uncomplimentary “thank-you,” asserting that the returned money had been sent back via Foluso Adeagbo, in the same bag it was received, unopened.
“Ayo, thanks for your ‘Thank You’ message, which undisguisedly revealed who and what you are: unchanged and unchangeable. Your money has been sent back… unopened by me.”
The exchange has intensified an ongoing rivalry between the two political figures, highlighting both personal and political tensions within Nigeria’s elite circles.
