Former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose has launched a scathing attack on former President Olusegun Obasanjo, describing him as “very irresponsible” and claiming he “belongs to the zoo.”
This followed Obasanjo’s attendance at Fayose’s 65th birthday celebration in Lagos, which Fayose initially appeared to appreciate before sending a controversial SMS that was later made public by Kehinde Akinyemi, Obasanjo’s Special Assistant on Media.
In the message, Fayose thanked Obasanjo for attending his event but accused him of making inappropriate comments during the celebration.
The text read: “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 am not surprised because someone once said you are supposed to be kept away in the zoo. Sincerely, that’s where you belong. I kept quiet or did not reply you at the function so that the world will know the difference between a sane and a mad man that you are. It is also obvious that you have lost your sanity or should I say it’s the heightened stage of dementia. Not to worry, Baba, I shall set the records straight in due course of time. Lastly, I shall appreciate it if you return my money since you publicly admitted you received it, but Dangote brought you back. ‘Your leopard will never change his skin.'”
Obasanjo responded tersely, saying: “Ayo, thanks for your ‘Thank You’ message which undisguisedly revealed who and what you are, unchanged and unchangeable. Your money has been sent back through Foluso Adeagbo who brought it and in the same bag as he brought it, unopened by me. Obj.”
The exchange reignites a long-standing feud between the two, which dates back to Fayose’s controversial removal as Ekiti State Governor in 2006, a move his camp alleged was orchestrated by Obasanjo.
Over the years, their rivalry has been marked by public spats, with Fayose frequently criticizing Obasanjo’s comments on national issues.
This latest outburst, however, stands out as one of the most heated moments in their contentious history.