Former Ekiti State governor, Ayodele Fayose, has revealed that he became so angered by former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s comments at his 65th birthday celebration that he briefly contemplated snatching the microphone from him and hitting him with it.
Fayose made the disclosure in a fresh interview where he narrated how a planned reconciliation with Obasanjo turned sour at the Lagos event.
The ex-governor said two weeks before the celebration, he had decided to reconcile with political associates and rivals he had previously clashed with — including Obasanjo. He contacted the former president through a mutual associate and requested his presence at the event.
According to him, the move was not an apology.
“I never called Baba to apologise. I didn’t offend him. He was the one that removed me from office. If anybody should apologise, it is him,” Fayose said.
He explained that Obasanjo not only agreed to attend despite having a prior engagement in Rwanda, but also asked for travel logistics — money Fayose claims he provided.
“I changed $20,000 and gave it to him. How can you accept somebody’s money and then go on to spite that person?” he said.
Fayose said he sensed trouble when Obasanjo insisted on speaking last at the event, ahead of the vice-president in attendance.
“Baba said he would be the one to speak last. I became suspicious,” he said.
According to him, the former president later instructed the event moderator to call the vice-president before him, and then summoned Fayose and his wife to stand beside him throughout a speech that lasted “one hour, 14 minutes”.
He alleged that the speech was filled with subtle attacks and unflattering remarks.
“How do you say such things to a man on his 65th birthday?” Fayose asked.
The former governor said the comments provoked him so deeply that he considered physically confronting the former president.
“I was enraged. I felt like taking the mic from Obasanjo’s hand and hitting it on his head,” Fayose said.
“But because of the presence of the vice-president and the love I have for myself, I kept my cool.”
Fayose said the attempt to mend fences was made in good faith but insisted that Obasanjo’s conduct showed he had no genuine interest in reconciliation.
“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 declared.
The long-running feud between the two political figures dates back to Fayose’s first term as governor, which ended controversially during Obasanjo’s presidency.
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