A fresh political controversy has erupted between former Ekiti State governor, Ayodele Fayose, and former President Olusegun Obasanjo after the two men exchanged sharply worded messages following Obasanjo’s attendance at Fayose’s 65th birthday celebration in Lagos.
Although Obasanjo was present at the private event, what should have ended as a routine show of courtesy between two well-known political figures quickly turned into a public war of words. The confrontation began when Fayose sent a message described as a “thank you note” to Obasanjo. The message, however, contained a series of insults in which the former governor accused the ex-president of losing his sanity and claimed he “belongs to the zoo.”
The message became public on Monday through a statement issued in Abeokuta by Obasanjo’s Special Assistant on Media, Kehinde Akinyemi.
According to Akinyemi, Fayose’s message was delivered to Obasanjo via SMS shortly after the birthday celebration. Instead of expressing simple gratitude, the former governor launched a direct attack on the elder statesman.
Fayose wrote: “Dear Baba Obasanjo, I trust this meets you well. Your coming to my birthday party, I appreciate except for your very irresponsible comments at your age. You went so low but I am not surprised because someone once said you are supposed to be kept away in the zoo. Sincerely that’s where you belong.”
He went further to accuse Obasanjo of suffering from dementia and behaving like a “mad man.” He added that he did not respond during the event because “the world needed to see the difference between a sane person and a mad man.”
Fayose also accused the former president of collecting money from him in the past.
“Lastly, I shall appreciate if you return my money since you publicly admitted you received but Dangote brought you back,” he wrote.
He concluded his message by saying, “Your leopard will never change his skin.”
Despite the aggressive tone of the message, Obasanjo responded calmly but pointedly. In a brief reply, the former president thanked Fayose for the message and said it revealed the former governor’s true character.
“Ayo, thanks for your ‘Thank You’ message which undisguisedly revealed who and what you are, unchanged and unchangeable,” Obasanjo wrote.
He also confirmed that the sum Fayose referred to had been returned.
“Your money has been sent back through Foluso Adeagbo who brought it and in the same bag as he brought it, unopened by me,” Obasanjo added.
This exchange marks another chapter in the long and bitter relationship between the two politicians.
Fayose and Obasanjo have a long record of political disagreements stretching back nearly two decades. During Fayose’s first term as governor between 2003 and 2006, he clashed repeatedly with the presidency, accusing Obasanjo of using federal power to target his administration.
Obasanjo, on the other hand, never hid his disapproval of Fayose’s political style, describing him on several occasions as loud, reckless, and disrespectful. Their conflict deepened in the years that followed, especially after Fayose emerged as one of the most vocal critics of Obasanjo’s attempts to influence national politics even after leaving office.
Their public exchanges have often been heated, but the latest incident is unique because it followed what should have been a gesture of reconciliation—Obasanjo attending Fayose’s milestone birthday celebration.
Political analysts say the incident reflects Nigeria’s long-standing culture of personal rivalry among political heavyweights. According to analysts, the clash also shows how personal grievances often overshadow national issues among the country’s political class.
Some commentators questioned why Fayose invited Obasanjo if he still held such deep resentment toward him. Others pointed out that the hostility may be linked to unresolved political disputes dating back to the Obasanjo administration.
There were also concerns about the tone of the statements. Many Nigerians on social media expressed shock that a former governor would use such harsh language toward a former president widely regarded as a national elder. Others argued that Obasanjo himself has a reputation for using strong words and may have made comments at the birthday that provoked Fayose’s reaction.
Details of the “irresponsible comments” Fayose mentioned were not disclosed in Akinyemi’s statement. However, insiders at the event claim Obasanjo may have made remarks about Fayose’s political choices or his history of confrontations with national leaders.
Sources say the former president may have teased Fayose about his controversial political career, including his impeachment battles, corruption allegations, and his well-known clashes with security agencies during his time in office.
Olusegun Obasanjo, 88, is one of Nigeria’s most influential political figures, having served as military head of state from 1976 to 1979 and later as civilian president from 1999 to 2007. He is often viewed as a powerful voice in national affairs and a critic of successive administrations.
Ayodele Fayose, on the other hand, is known for his fiery personality and populist political style. He governed Ekiti State twice and is remembered for his bold confrontations with the federal government, especially during the Goodluck Jonathan and Muhammadu Buhari administrations. Fayose has long projected himself as a fearless critic of political godfathers, often clashing with elder politicians.
Kehinde Akinyemi said Obasanjo considered the matter closed after returning the money Fayose mentioned. But political observers believe the public exchange may trigger fresh verbal battles between the two outspoken figures.
As at press time, Fayose had not released a formal statement beyond the SMS that was made public. However, he hinted in his message that he would “set the records straight in due course,” suggesting more revelations may come.
The incident has again highlighted the deep personal conflicts within Nigeria’s political class, raising questions about leadership style, public conduct, and the expectations placed on elder statesmen and former governors.
For now, Nigerians are watching closely to see whether the quarrel fizzles out or escalates into another long-running political drama.
