iDeemlawfulFormer Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, has reignited his long-standing dispute with former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
This comes barely 48 hours after both men appeared to have ended their prolonged political hostilities.
At Fayose’s 65th birthday celebration in Lagos on Saturday, Obasanjo made pointed remarks about the former governor’s past criticisms but noted he had forgiven him.
Obasanjo recounted how Fayose sent emissaries, including former Aviation Minister Osita Chidoka, to facilitate their reconciliation.
He said, “You are not the best of my political children, but you have made achievements that must not be ignored. Even to get me to come here, you could not approach me directly. You sent Osita (Chidoka) to come and sound me out. When Osita, who also is a political child, came, I said, ‘Well, if he (Fayose) has sent you and you have delivered the message, then tell him that you have delivered the message.’
Then, you phoned me and said, ‘Ayo,’ and I asked you, ‘Ayo who?’ You said, ‘Ayo Fayose.’ I told you that you can see me anytime.”
Obasanjo explained that after the call, Fayose remained cautious about visiting him in Abeokuta.
“You did not come directly to knock at my door. You sent Folusho as an emissary to feel the pulse and about an hour later, you came,” Obasanjo said.
The former president also recalled scolding Fayose and his wife during the back-and-forth preceding the birthday event.
“I told your wife, ‘Madam, you and your husband, you are not Omoluabi.’ She admitted and said ‘Baba, you are right. Please, forgive us.’ Then, when you get that, what else can I do?
“So, you have asked for forgiveness and as far as I’m concerned you are forgiven. But the right lessons must be learnt,” Obasanjo said.
He added that turning 65 is worthy of celebration, citing the biblical instruction to “mourn with those who mourn, and rejoice with those who rejoice.”
The former president also credited Fayose with notable political contributions.
Obasanjo urged him to reconcile with anyone he may have offended and extend forgiveness where necessary.
Throughout Obasanjo’s remarks, Fayose remained silent.
Barely two days after the event, however, Fayose renewed the conflict in a “Thank You” message to Obasanjo.
According to a statement issued Monday by the former president’s media aide, Kehinde Akinyemi, Fayose reacted strongly to Obasanjo’s comments.
Part of the message reads, “Dear Baba Obasanjo, I trust this meets you well. You coming to my birthday party, I appreciate it, except for your very irresponsible comments at your age.
“You went so low, but I’m 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 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.”
Background
For nearly two decades, the two men maintained animosity. Their conflict dates back to 2006, when Fayose and his then-deputy, Abiodun Olujimi, were removed from office by the state House of Assembly. Fayose held Obasanjo, then president, responsible for orchestrating the move.
In October 2006, shortly after Fayose’s ouster, Obasanjo imposed a state of emergency in the state amid tensions following the impeachment.
During the emergency rule, the House of Assembly was suspended and Tunji Olurin was appointed as sole administrator. Olurin governed until April 2007.
Although the Supreme Court later ruled in April 2015 that Fayose’s removal was unlawful, he did not return to office, as his tenure had expired. He would later return in 2014 after winning a second-term election.
Despite the long-running feud, Fayose repeatedly criticized Obasanjo, at one point demanding a refund of the N10 million he contributed—along with other PDP governors—to the former president’s library project in 2005, claiming they were compelled to donate.
