Former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo, 89, and former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose have renewed their long-standing political feud.
The conflict began at Fayose’s 65th birthday party on Monday, November 18, where Obasanjo, the Special Guest of Honour, publicly rebuked Fayose for his past abuse and arrogance. Fayose responded to the rebuke with a text message to the former President, calling him “mad man” who “belongs in the zoo” and accusing him of “irresponsible comments”.
The enmity between the two political figures dates back to the beginning of Nigeria’s Fourth Republic, when Obasanjo was President (1999–2007) and Fayose was Governor of Ekiti State (2003–2006).
The relationship first deteriorated due to allegations of financial mismanagement and political disloyalty. In 2006, Obasanjo launched an investigation into Fayose’s poultry project via the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which led to Fayose’s impeachment and the declaration of a state of emergency in Ekiti.
Fayose has long accused Obasanjo of orchestrating his removal and defrauding governors to build the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library.
Fayose had recently visited Obasanjo to invite him to his birthday. At the party, Obasanjo detailed Fayose’s past offenses and his indirect, cautious approach to extending the invitation, stating,
But you are not the best of my political children, you’re not, but you have made achievements that must not be ignored. You must repent from all misconduct because we must begin to prepare for heaven.
Obasanjo recounted how Fayose had repeatedly abused him over the years and recounted a private apology Fayose and his wife had offered. Obasanjo advised him;
Fayose was angered by Obasanjo’s statements. He followed up with an insulting text message, later shared by Obasanjo’s media aide, which read in part:
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
Fayose saw Obasanjo’s public rebuke as an irresponsible attempt to embarrass him on his birthday.
Leave a comment