Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has made public a sharply worded “Thank You” message allegedly sent to him by former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose after attending Fayose’s 65th birthday celebration in Lagos.
The message, disclosed on Monday in Abeokuta by Obasanjo’s Special Assistant on Media, Kehinde Akinyemi, expressed gratitude for the former president’s presence but strongly criticised his remarks at the event.
In the text, Fayose accused the 89-year-old former president of making “irresponsible comments” during the birthday programme, adding that he chose not to react publicly so the world could see “the difference between a sane man and a mad man.”
Fayose also demanded a refund of the money he claimed to have sent to facilitate Obasanjo’s attendance.
The message read in part:
“Dear Baba Obasanjo, I trust this meets you well. Your coming to my birthday party, I appreciate it, except for your very irresponsible comments at your age. You went so low, but I am not surprised because someone once said you are supposed to be kept away in the zoo. Sincerely, that’s where you belong.
I kept quiet or did not reply to you at the function so that the world would know the difference between a sane and a mad man. It is also obvious that you have lost your sanity—or should I say, this is the heightened stage of dementia.
Not to worry, Baba. I shall set the records straight in due course. Lastly, I shall appreciate it if you return my money since you publicly admitted you received it, but Dangote brought it back. Your leopard will never change its skin.”
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Obasanjo, in his response, maintained that Fayose’s message reflected his true character. He confirmed he had returned the money through the individual who delivered it.
“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, in the same bag as he delivered it, unopened by me,” Obasanjo said.
The tension between both men resurfaced during the birthday celebration, where Obasanjo served as the special guest of honour. He recalled that Fayose had a history of publicly insulting him, even after repeatedly seeking forgiveness.
According to him, Fayose initially avoided inviting him directly, instead sending former Minister Osita Chidoka before making a personal visit. Obasanjo said he still agreed to attend, describing Fayose as one of his political “children,” though “not among the best.”
At the event, Obasanjo said:
“Some people called me and said, ‘We heard that you are going to attend Fayose’s 65th birthday. Have you forgotten how he abused you?’ But I said they should not worry. Irrespective of his character, he remains one of my children.
But you are not among the best of my political children. Even to get me to attend this occasion, you could not approach me directly. You sent Osita Chidoka to sound me out…”
He further recounted advising Fayose during his time as governor against embarking on a government-funded poultry project, which he described as fraudulent and ultimately unsuccessful. In a widely circulated video from the celebration, the former president urged Fayose to seek forgiveness from those he had wronged and embrace humility.
The public release of the text message and the subsequent exchange has reignited long-standing tensions between the two political figures, drawing widespread reaction across social media and political circles.
