FAYOSE SAYS HE ALMOST HIT OBASANJO WITH MICROPHONE OVER BIRTHDAY REMARKS

Read Time:1 Minute, 58 Second

By Aishat Momoh. O.

Former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, has revealed that he was so provoked by comments made by ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo during his 65th birthday celebration that he briefly felt like seizing the microphone and striking him with it.

Fayose made the disclosure in a recent interview, recounting the sequence of events leading up to and during the Lagos ceremony.

At the event, Obasanjo had revisited his long-standing political feud with Fayose, describing him as “not the best” of his protégés, even while acknowledging his achievements in politics.

Fayose said he had deliberately embarked on a reconciliation effort two weeks before the celebration, reaching out to political adversaries, including Obasanjo.

“Whatever differences we have had in the past, let’s put it behind. If I have offended you, if you have offended me, let us put it behind,” Fayose said.

He explained that he contacted Obasanjo through a mutual associate named Osita, but clarified that the outreach was not an apology.

“I never called to go and apologise to Baba. I did not offend him. He was the one that removed me from office. If anybody should apologise, it is him,” he said.

Fayose claimed he gave Obasanjo $20,000 ahead of the event and was shocked by the ex-president’s remarks.

The former governor said he became uneasy when Obasanjo insisted on speaking last rather than letting the vice-president do so. He added that the moderator was instructed to call the vice-president before Obasanjo, who then asked Fayose and his wife to stand beside him during a speech that lasted one hour and 14 minutes.

Fayose described the remarks as filled with veiled criticisms.

“How do you say such things to a man on his 65th birthday?” he queried.

He admitted that he became extremely angry at the moment.

“I was enraged. I felt like taking the mic from Obasanjo’s hand and hitting it on his head… But to show maturity, not by age, and because of the vice-president’s presence, I kept my cool,” he said.

Fayose said his attempt at reconciliation was sincere, but Obasanjo’s conduct proved he was not interested in peace.

“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 concluded.