How Obasanjo’s Forgiveness Speech Sparked Fayose’s Fiery SMS

A public display of forgiveness by former President Olusegun Obasanjo has reignited one of Nigeria’s most notorious political rivalries, this time through a blistering exchange of words with ex-Ekiti State governor Ayo Fayose.
The drama unfolded after Obasanjo attended Fayose’s 65th birthday celebration. While offering reflections on Fayose’s political journey, the former president made remarks that the ex-governor deemed “irresponsible.” Fayose responded with a caustic SMS, shared with newsmen by Obasanjo’s media aide, Kehinde Akinyemi:
“Dear Baba Obasanjo, I appreciate your coming to my birthday party—except for your very irresponsible comments at your age. You went so low, but I’m not surprised… Someone once said you should be kept in the zoo. Sincerely, that’s where you belong… Lastly, I’d appreciate if you return my money… Your leopard will never change its skin.”
Obasanjo, unruffled, replied tersely:
“Ayo, thanks for your ‘Thank You’ message, which clearly revealed who and what you are—unchanged and unchangeable. Your money has been sent back through Foluso Adeagbo, in the same bag as it was brought, unopened by me.”
Speaking candidly at the event, Mr Obasanjo acknowledged Fayose’s political impact while stressing that the former governor was far from his “best political son.”
“You are not the best of my political children,” he told Fayose. “But you have made achievements that must not be ignored.”
The frosty relationship between them dates back to 2006, when Fayose and his deputy, Abiodun Olujimi, were impeached by the Ekiti State House of Assembly. Fayose blamed the then-president for masterminding his removal.
Weeks later, Mr Obasanjo declared a state of emergency in Ekiti, suspended the House of Assembly, and appointed retired brigadier Tunji Olurin as sole administrator until April 2007.
Although the Supreme Court later ruled the impeachment illegal in 2015, Fayose’s tenure had ended long before. He eventually returned to office in 2014.
Throughout those years, the animosity lingered. Fayose repeatedly attacked Obasanjo publicly, at one point demanding a refund (with interest) of the ₦10 million he contributed to Obasanjo’s presidential library project.
At the birthday event, Mr Obasanjo recounted how he met Fayose and why he supported him over more established political figures.
He praised Fayose’s early initiative of providing water to Ekiti residents and recalled advising him against venturing into the poultry business—a friendly jab he delivered with humour.
“I saw your poultry farm and it was clean. I asked you, ‘Ayo, your chicks don’t poo?’” he said, adding that former Osun governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola had warned Fayose that Obasanjo “knows poultry.”
The former president revealed that Fayose had sought his forgiveness multiple times—once with his wife present at Oyinlola’s residence—but continued to publicly attack him.
“Even when you were abusing me, I still took an interest in your welfare,” he added, noting that he defended Fayose during the controversy over his academic qualification.
He urged Fayose to reconcile with others he may have wronged, and also forgive those who offended him.
Obasanjo narrated how he received the unexpected birthday invitation through former minister Osita Chidoka, whom he described as a political son.
Fayose later visited him in person—but only after sending an emissary, Folusho, to gauge Obasanjo’s mood.
During the visit, Fayose handed Obasanjo the phone to speak to his wife, prompting the former president to scold the couple for past behaviour.
“Your wife said, ‘Baba, you are right. Please forgive us.’ Once you hear that, what else can I do?” Obasanjo said.
Obasanjo disclosed that some people warned him against honouring the invitation.
“They asked if I had forgotten the insults,” he said. “I told them: thank you for reminding me.”
He nevertheless returned early from a Rwanda trip—landing around 1 a.m.—to fulfil his promise to attend Fayose’s celebration.
He added that Fayose had agreed to cover his return flight, though billionaire businessman Aliko Dangote eventually sent an aircraft to bring him back to Nigeria.
Obasanjo also debunked the claim that he forced governors to contribute ₦10 million each to his presidential library project.
“I did not ask you to contribute to my library,” he said. “The governors decided, and you joined them.”
The reconciliation marks a dramatic turning point in one of Nigeria’s most colourful political feuds—one that spanned insults, accusations, impeachment, and now, forgiveness.