Fayose: I paid Obasanjo $20,000 to attend my birthday party

Former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose has revealed that he gave ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo $20,000 ahead of his 65th birthday celebration in Lagos.

He, however, described the gesture as a waste, citing how Obasanjo “embarrassed” him at the event.

Obasanjo and Fayose recently engaged in a war of words following the former president’s remarks at his birthday party in Lagos.

The former president also acknowledged receiving money from Fayose, adding that “Your (Fayose) money has been sent back through Foluso Adeagbo, who brought it, in the same bag as he delivered it, unopened by me.”

Speaking in a new interview, Fayose revealed that Obasanjo welcomed him to his home in Abeokuta, the capital of Ogun State, days before the birthday and assured him he would attend the ceremony despite having another engagement in Rwanda.

He disclosed that it was during this interaction that Obasanjo made a request that led him to provide $20,000 for the former president’s travel arrangements.

He said: “We took pictures and talked in good faith.

“I changed $20,000 and gave it to him. How can you accept somebody’s money and then come and spite that person publicly?”

‘Your money has been returned’: Fayose, Obasanjo trade words after 65th birthday party

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

He further revealed that the former president insisted on speaking last — ahead of Vice President Kashim Shettima — and eventually delivered a lengthy speech filled with subtle jabs and unflattering remarks.

Fayose said 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,” the former governor stated.

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

The former governor disclosed how he attempted to mend fences with Obasanjo, saying he contacted the ex-president through a mutual associate, Osita, who provided his phone number.

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.

Fayose, who stated that Obasanjo’s behaviour proved he had no genuine interest in reconciliation, said: “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.”

The Star