Former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, has unleashed a furious verbal assault on former President Olusegun Obasanjo, labelling him as irresponsible and declaring that he belongs in a zoo.
The Birthday Party That Sparked a War of Words
The dramatic confrontation between the two political heavyweights erupted during Fayose's 65th birthday celebration held in Lagos over the weekend. The event, which was meant to be a festive occasion, turned sour when former President Obasanjo used his speech to publicly mock a poultry farming project initiated by Fayose during his tenure as governor.
Fayose, who remained silent at the event, later responded with a fiery letter that quickly became public. In the message, he expressed appreciation for Obasanjo's attendance but strongly condemned the former president's comments.
Fayose's Scathing Letter and Transport Refund Demand
The heart of Fayose's retaliation was contained in his written message. He described Obasanjo's conduct as unbecoming of an elder statesman and referenced a past description of the former head of state.
"Your coming to my birthday party, I appreciate, except for your very irresponsible comments at your age," Fayose wrote. "You went so low but am not surprised because someone once said you are supposed to be kept away in the zoo. Sincerely that's where you belong."
In a move that escalated the conflict further, Fayose also demanded a refund of the transport money he claimed to have given Obasanjo for attending the party. He pointed out that Obasanjo had publicly admitted to receiving the funds.
"Lastly, I shall appreciate if you return my money since you publicly admitted you received but Dangote brought you back," he added in his letter.
Obasanjo's Terse Response and a Long-Standing Feud
Obasanjo responded through his media aide with a brief but pointed message. He stated that Fayose's note simply revealed his true character, describing him as "unchanged and unchangeable."
More importantly, Obasanjo confirmed that he had already returned the money through the same person who delivered it, emphasizing that the package remained unopened.
This public exchange is merely the latest chapter in a long history of conflict between both men. Their sour relationship dates back to the early 2000s when Fayose served as Governor of Ekiti State during Obasanjo's presidency. Their clashes have historically centered on corruption allegations, political realignments, and fundamental disagreements on national issues.
Obasanjo, who has maintained an active role in public discourse since leaving office in 2007, has recently been critical of several state-level projects he considers wasteful, a stance that has previously led to confrontations with other political figures.
