Former President Olusegun Obasanjo and former Ekiti State governor Ayo Fayose have reignited their long-standing feud, just days after it appeared the two men were moving toward reconciliation.
The latest clash came in the wake of Fayose’s 65th birthday celebration, when he sent what was described as a “thank-you” message to Obasanjo. Rather than expressing gratitude, the message launched a scathing attack, telling the former president he “belongs in the zoo.”
The bitter exchange highlights the enduring tension between the two politicians, which dates back to Fayose’s removal as Ekiti governor in 2006. Until recently, Fayose had frequently used public platforms to criticize Obasanjo, though a brief period suggested some attempt at mending their differences.
According to a statement released on Monday in Abeokuta by Kehinde Akinyemi, Obasanjo’s media aide, the former president received an SMS from Fayose that included both thanks for attending the birthday party and sharp criticism of his conduct at the event. Fayose accused Obasanjo of making “very irresponsible comments” and escalated the attack by calling him “a mad man” and claiming he was in a “heightened stage of dementia.”
Fayose wrote, “I kept quiet or did not reply 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 lost your sanity, or should I say are in the heightened stage of dementia. Not to worry, Baba, I shall set the records straight in due course of time.”
The former governor also demanded the return of money Obasanjo allegedly gave him to cover his flight from Rwanda for the birthday celebration, adding, “Lastly I shall appreciate if you return my money since you publicly admitted you received it but Dangote brought you back.”
Obasanjo responded through his media aide, thanking Fayose for the message, saying it “undisguisedly revealed who and what you are, unchanged and unchangeable.” He confirmed that the money had been returned, noting it was sent back through the same messenger who brought it.
