Ayo Fayose, ex-governor of Ekiti, says he was so provoked by
Olusegun Obasanjo’s remarks at his 65th birthday celebration that he
momentarily felt like seizing the microphone from the ex-president and striking
him with it.
Fayose spoke in a fresh interview where he narrated the
sequence of events leading to his 65th birthday party.
At Fayose’s birthday ceremony in Lagos, Obasanjo had
reflected on his long-running feud with Fayose, describing the former governor
as “not the best” of his political protégés — while acknowledging his political
accomplishments.
Fayose said two weeks before his birthday, he decided to
mend fences with several people he had fallen out with politically.
“Whatever differences we have had in the past, let’s put it
behind. If I have offended you, if you have offended me, let us put it behind,”
he said.
He explained that he reached out to Obasanjo through a
mutual friend, Osita, who provided the former president’s phone number.
Fayose, however, insisted that his call to Obasanjo was not an apology.
“I never called to go and apologise to Baba. I did not
offend him. He was the one that removed me from office. If anybody should
apologise, it is him,” he said.
He said Obasanjo welcomed him to his home days before the
celebration and even assured him that he would attend the birthday event
despite another engagement in Rwanda.
He added that at Obasanjo’s request, he arranged money for
the former president’s travel logistics.
“We took pictures together. All in good faith,” he said.
“I changed $20,000 and gave it to him. How can you accept
somebody’s money and come and be spiting that person?”
According to Fayose, the first sign of trouble came when
Obasanjo insisted on speaking last at the event as opposed to the
vice-president.
“Baba said he would be the one to speak last. I became
suspicious,” he said.
He said Obasanjo later instructed the moderator to call the
vice-president before him, only to demand that Fayose and his wife stand beside
him as he gave a speech lasting “one hour, 14 minutes”.
Fayose described the speech as laced with veiled attacks.
“How do you say such things to a man on his 65th birthday?”
he asked.
Fayose said it was at this point that his anger peaked.
“I was enraged. I felt like taking the mic from Obasanjo’s
hand and hitting it on his head. This is being sincere,” he narrated
“But to show maturity, not by age, and the love I have for
myself and the presence of the vice-president, I just kept my cool.”
Fayose said his attempt to reconcile with the former
president was made “in good conscience”, but that Obasanjo’s behaviour proved
he was not interested in peace.
“If I knew this was how it would end, what do I need
Obasanjo for? Am I contesting election? Do I need his validation? No,” he said.
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Ayodele Fayose, you have always been a stupid elder to your younger ones. It is still unfortunate that you have not learnt anything even in all these quite time you have had. Obasanjo is your elder & he attended that ceremony to tell you who you are. Stop being foolish.
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