Fayose: How I tried to reconcile with Obasanjo

Former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose has disclosed how he attempted to mend fences with ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo after years of political hostility.

Fayose recently visited Obasanjo in Abeokuta, the capital of Ogun State, to invite the former president to his 65th birthday party in Lagos.

However, the former president’s appearance turned into a heated exchange with Obasanjo delivering a lengthy speech filled with subtle jabs.

Speaking in a new interview, Fayose said Obasanjo welcomed him to his home in Abeokuta, noting that the reconciliation move was purely his initiative, and was intended to clear old grudges before his birthday.

The former governor disclosed that he contacted Obasanjo through a mutual associate, Osita, who provided the former president’s phone number.

Fayose emphasised that the call was not an apology but an effort to foster peace.

Fayose: Obasanjo embarrassed me at birthday party after giving him $20,000

“I didn’t call to apologise. I did nothing wrong. Baba removed me from office — he should be the one apologising,” he said.

The former governor added that Obasanjo’s conduct at the birthday event left him shocked, saying the humiliation left him furious.

“At a point, I felt like grabbing the microphone from him and hitting it on his head. That’s how provoked I was,” Fayose said.

He added that he restrained himself out of respect for Vice President Kashim Shettima and to avoid creating a public scene.

“If I knew this was how it would turn out, I wouldn’t have bothered. I don’t need Obasanjo for anything — I’m not contesting any election,” he said.

The Star