Former President Olusegun Obasanjo and ex-Ekiti State governor, Ayodele Fayose, have once again brought their decades-long political rivalry into the public eye following a highly charged exchange of words and accusations after Fayose’s 65th birthday celebration in Lagos. The incident marks yet another chapter in a relationship that has been fraught with tension, allegations, and unresolved disputes spanning over twenty years.
The clash reignited when Obasanjo, attending the event as the Special Guest of Honour, publicly referenced Fayose’s history of verbally attacking him despite previous apologies extended by the former governor. During his address, Obasanjo expressed surprise that Fayose had invited him, saying, “Some people asked if I had forgotten how he abused me.” However, demonstrating a sense of magnanimity, he added, “Irrespective of his character, he remains one of my children.” This statement was interpreted as both a subtle rebuke and a reaffirmation of his seniority over the ex-governor.
In his speech, Obasanjo revisited their troubled political past, reminding guests of incidents that had previously strained their relationship. He mentioned controversies surrounding Fayose’s earlier tenure as governor, including the fallout over a poultry project and allegations of corruption and mismanagement that had shadowed his first term. Obasanjo emphasized that true leadership requires humility, integrity, and discernment, stating, “There is a difference between courage and foolhardiness. Humility is one virtue we must never throw away.” These remarks were widely interpreted as a pointed critique of Fayose’s conduct both during and after his time in office.
Fayose, however, did not take the remarks lightly. The following day, he sent Obasanjo a scathing text message, which was subsequently released to the press by Obasanjo’s media aide, Kehinde Akinyemi. In the message, Fayose accused Obasanjo of behaving inappropriately for someone of his age and called into question his mental acuity. He wrote, “You went so low, but I am not surprised. Someone once said you should be kept in the zoo. That’s sincerely where you belong.” He further claimed that Obasanjo was exhibiting signs of a “heightened stage of dementia” and demanded the return of money sent to facilitate Obasanjo’s attendance at the birthday event, framing it as a matter of principle.
Obasanjo responded succinctly, clarifying that the money had already been returned through the same aide who delivered it. He also issued a sharp rebuke of Fayose’s behavior, stating, “Your message revealed who you are, unchanged and unchangeable.” The exchange quickly went viral, drawing national attention and sparking debates across social media about the propriety of their public feud and the historical context behind it.
The renewed confrontation underscores a fraught relationship that began in the early 2000s when Obasanjo, then president, initially supported Fayose’s emergence as governor of Ekiti State. However, their alliance collapsed amid allegations of corruption, political disagreements, and clashes over governance philosophy. Tensions peaked in 2006 when Fayose was impeached following an EFCC panel indictment, an event he has long attributed to Obasanjo’s influence and political machinations. Despite periodic attempts at reconciliation, including Fayose’s courtesy visit to Obasanjo ahead of his birthday, the two men appear to have returned to a familiar cycle of public confrontation, highlighting the enduring nature of their personal and political animosity.
Observers note that this latest exchange not only revives old grievances but also reflects broader patterns of political rivalry in Nigeria, where personal relationships among politicians often intersect with public accountability and media scrutiny. The incident has reignited discussions among political analysts, historians, and the general public about the long-term implications of such feuds for governance, political stability, and intergenerational leadership in the country.
The clash between Obasanjo and Fayose continues to dominate media narratives, with commentators drawing parallels between historical episodes of conflict and the present, suggesting that despite the passage of time, unresolved issues from their past continue to influence the dynamics of contemporary Nigerian politics.