Former Ekiti State governor Ayo Fayose has opened up about the tense exchange between him and former President Olusegun Obasanjo during his 65th birthday celebration, admitting that he was so upset at one point that he briefly considered grabbing the microphone and striking the former president with it.
In a new interview, Fayose walked through the events leading to the Lagos ceremony where Obasanjo, while acknowledging his political journey, remarked that Fayose was “not the best” among his political protégés.
Fayose said that two weeks before the event, he had decided to reconcile with many of his political adversaries and reached out to Obasanjo through a mutual associate named Osita, who gave him the ex-president’s number.
He stressed that his contact was not an expression of guilt.
“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.
According to him, Obasanjo hosted him warmly and assured he would be present at the birthday event despite a planned trip to Rwanda. Fayose added that, at Obasanjo’s request, he covered some of the former president’s travel needs.
“I changed $20,000 and gave it to him. How can you accept somebody’s money and come and be spiting that person?” he said.
Fayose said he became uneasy when Obasanjo insisted he must deliver the final speech at the event, instead of the vice-president.
During the celebration, Obasanjo ordered that the vice-president speak before him and then asked that Fayose and his wife stand beside him while he delivered a lengthy address.
The former governor described the remarks as subtle jabs.
“How do you say such things to a man on his 65th birthday?” he asked.
At that moment, Fayose said his temper flared.
“I was enraged. I felt like taking the mic from Obasanjo’s hand and hitting it on his head. This is being sincere,” he said.
“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.”
He said the reconciliation attempt had been made “in good conscience”, but Obasanjo’s actions showed he was uninterested 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.
