The long-running feud between former President Olusegun Obasanjo and ex-Ekiti State governor Ayodele Fayose flared up again this week, despite a brief moment of reconciliation that saw the two men share a stage at Fayose’s 65th birthday celebration in Lagos.
The animosity between the pair dates back to the early years of the Fourth Republic, when Obasanjo, then president, accused Fayose of corruption over a controversial poultry project. Since then, their relationship has remained frosty, with Fayose frequently accusing Obasanjo of hypocrisy and corruption, particularly over the funding of the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library in Ogun State. He has repeatedly demanded the return of his ₦10 million contribution to the project.
In a surprising twist, Fayose visited Obasanjo at his Abeokuta residence ahead of his birthday, extending a personal invitation. Obasanjo accepted, arriving as the Special Guest of Honour at the Lagos event. But his remarks at the gathering reopened old wounds.
Obasanjo told the audience that Fayose had often insulted him in the past, even after seeking forgiveness. He admitted being surprised at the invitation, but said he chose to attend because, “irrespective of his character, he remains one of my children.” The former president, however, added pointedly: “You are not the best of my political children, but you have made achievements that must not be ignored.”
Obasanjo went on to recount their political history, recalling how he once backed Fayose’s governorship bid in 2003 over another candidate, and how their relationship soured after the poultry scandal. He urged Fayose to embrace humility, integrity, and repentance, warning that arrogance and foolhardiness had marred his political journey.
The elder statesman also revealed that Fayose had sent intermediaries to gauge his mood before inviting him, and that his wife’s plea for forgiveness had softened his stance. He concluded his speech with a call for reconciliation and repentance, even breaking into a Yoruba hymn.
But Fayose’s response was swift and scathing. The following day, he sent Obasanjo a “Thank You” message laced with insults, which was later released to the press by Obasanjo’s media aide, Kehinde Akinyemi. In the text, Fayose accused the 89-year-old of making “irresponsible comments” and declared that the former president “belongs in the zoo.” He also mocked Obasanjo’s age, suggesting he was suffering from dementia, and demanded the return of money he had sent to facilitate Obasanjo’s attendance at the party.
Obasanjo replied curtly, saying the money had been returned, “unopened and intact,” through the same intermediary who delivered it.
The bitter exchange underscores how deeply entrenched the rivalry remains. Fayose, first elected governor in 2003 under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), initially enjoyed Obasanjo’s support but later fell out with him amid allegations of mismanagement and disloyalty. More than two decades later, their feud continues to spill into the public arena, mixing personal grievances with political history.
