Former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose’s visit to former President Olusegun Obasanjo on Sunday has sparked reactions on social media.
The meeting, which took place at Obasanjo’s residence in the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL), Oke Mosan, Abeokuta, Ogun State, ended a long-standing political feud between the two leaders.
Mr Fayose’s former media aide, Lere Olayinka, posted on X that the former governor met Obasanjo after nearly two decades of political hostility.
Images attached to the post showed both men playing the traditional Yoruba board game, Ayo Olopon, in a friendly manner.
The seed of discord between Fayose and Obasanjo dates back to Fayose’s removal as Ekiti State Governor in 2006, which was allegedly orchestrated by Obasanjo.
In 2010, the two openly exchanged words at a public forum in Okuku, Osun State, during a thanksgiving service organised by former Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola.
Reports stated that Obasanjo called Fayose a “bastard” and Fayose responded by calling Obasanjo the “father of bastards.”
Over the years, Fayose has publicly criticised Obasanjo on national issues.
In 2017, he advised Obasanjo to stop making statements that could distract Nigerians from addressing economic challenges.
Fayose said at the time, “Obasanjo, truly, has failed this country many times over but not all members of his generation failed this country. There are shining lights in that generation that have served the nation well.”
The visit on Sunday was described by sources as a private meeting that lasted over an hour.
Fayose, who arrived at the OOPL complex, was received by aides of the former president before proceeding to Obasanjo’s private quarters.
Details of their discussion were not made public.
The reunion comes ahead of Fayose’s 65th birthday on November 15 and follows a series of visits from other political figures, including former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, who earlier exchanged pleasantries with Fayose and discussed national issues.
Fayose’s meeting with Obasanjo has since drawn reactions on social media.
Many users said the two political figures had “finally buried the beef.” Some expressed surprise at the reconciliation, given their previously strained relationship.
One user wrote, “Politics is soooooooooo mad. Same Fayose who said Obasanjo is not a Yoruba name. Same Obasanjo who removed Fayose as governor.”
Another tweeted, “That seems unbelievable. Is their fight now over?”
Another commented, “They finally buried the beef.”
