Former Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose has revealed that he was so angered by former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s remarks at his 65th birthday celebration that he briefly felt like grabbing the microphone and hitting him with it
During the Lagos event, Obasanjo referenced his long-standing feud with Fayose, calling him “not the best” of his political protégés while also acknowledging his achievements. The comments reportedly left Fayose fuming.
In an interview with AF24 News posted on YouTube on Monday, Fayose recounted the tense encounter, saying, “I was enraged. I felt like taking the mic from Obasanjo’s hand and hitting it on his head. This is being sincere.”
He explained that two weeks before the celebration, he had decided to reconcile with political rivals, including Obasanjo. “Whatever differences we have had in the past, let’s put them behind us. If I have offended you, if you have offended me, let us put it behind us,” Fayose said.
Fayose reached out to Obasanjo through a mutual friend, Osita Chidoka, but stressed that the call was not an apology. “I never called to go and apologise to Baba. I did not offend him. He was the one who removed me from office. If anybody should apologise, it is he,” he said.
Obasanjo reportedly received Fayose warmly at his residence days before the event and confirmed his attendance despite another engagement in Rwanda. Fayose even arranged $20,000 to cover the former president’s travel logistics, questioning how someone could accept such help and still make disparaging remarks.
Tension escalated when Obasanjo insisted on speaking last at the event, following the Vice President, and asked Fayose and his wife to stand beside him during a speech that lasted one hour and 14 minutes. Fayose described the address as full of subtle jabs.
“How do you say such things to a man on his 65th birthday?” he asked, adding that he kept his composure out of respect for the Vice President.
Fayose concluded that while he approached the situation in good faith, Obasanjo’s behaviour showed no interest in reconciliation. “If I knew this was how it would end, what do I need Obasanjo for? Am I contesting the election? Do I need his validation? No,” he said.
Follow Us on Facebook – @LadunLiadi; Instagram – @LadunLiadi; Twitter – @LadunLiadi; Youtube – @LadunLiadiTV for updates
