Former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose has given a detailed account of his clash with former President Olusegun Obasanjo at his 65th birthday celebration in Lagos, saying he was so provoked during the event that he briefly felt like grabbing the microphone from Mr Obasanjo and hitting him with it.
Mr Fayose spoke in an interview with AF24 News, posted on Monday, where he narrated events before and during the ceremony.
Obasanjo, while speaking at the birthday, referred to Fayose as “not the best” of his political protégés, though he also acknowledged his political achievements.
Days after the event, Fayose criticised the remarks, describing them as “irresponsible”.
In the interview, Fayose said Obasanjo’s comments triggered an intense reaction.
“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.
Fayose said that two weeks before the celebration, he decided to reconcile with political rivals and reached out to Obasanjo through a mutual friend, Osita Chidoka, who provided the former president’s contact.
“Whatever differences we have had in the past, let’s put them behind us. If I have offended you, if you have offended me, let us put it behind us,” he said.
He emphasised that the contact was not an apology.
“I never called to go and apologise to Baba. I did not offend him. He was the one who removed me from office. If anybody should apologise, it is he,” he said.
Fayose said Obasanjo received him in Abeokuta days before the event and confirmed he would attend despite another engagement in Rwanda.
At Obasanjo’s request, he provided funds for travel arrangements.
“We took pictures together. All in good faith. I changed $20,000 and gave it to him. How can you accept somebody’s money and come and be spitting on that person?” he asked.
He said tension began when Obasanjo insisted on speaking last at the event.
“Baba said he would be the one to speak last. I became suspicious,” he said.
According to him, Obasanjo later instructed the moderator to call Vice-President Kashim Shettima before him but then asked Fayose and his wife to stand beside him throughout a speech lasting “one hour, 14 minutes”.
Fayose said the address contained veiled attacks.
“How do you say such things to a man on his 65th birthday?” he asked.
He said he controlled his reaction out of respect for the vice-president and to avoid causing a scene.
“But to show maturity, not by age, but by self-respect and out of consideration for the vice-president’s presence, I kept my cool,” he said.
Fayose said his reconciliation efforts were made “in good conscience”, but Obasanjo’s conduct convinced him the former president 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.
Obasanjo acknowledged receiving the $20,000 but said the money was returned “in the same bag” through the person who brought it.
Ayodele Fayose said the entire episode made him conclude that the reconciliation attempt was unnecessary.
“If I knew this was how it would turn out, I wouldn’t have bothered. I don’t need Obasanjo for anything. I’m not contesting any election,” he said.
