Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has disclosed the content of an insulting and abusive “Thank You” text message allegedly sent to him by former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, following Obasanjo’s attendance at Fayose’s 65th birthday celebration in Lagos last week.
The message, shared with journalists in Abeokuta on Monday by Obasanjo’s Special Assistant on Media, Kehinde Akinyemi, expressed Fayose’s gratitude for the former president’s presence at the event but harshly criticised his remarks during the celebration.
In the SMS, Fayose said he deliberately refrained from responding to what he described as Obasanjo’s “irresponsible comments” at the event to show “the whole world the difference between a sane man and a mad man.” He also demanded that Obasanjo return the money he had provided to facilitate his attendance.
Part of the message read: “Dear Baba Obasanjo, I trust this meets you well. Your coming to my birthday party, I appreciate it, except for your very irresponsible comments at your age. You went so low, but I am not surprised because someone once said you are supposed to be kept away in the zoo. Sincerely, that’s where you belong.
“I kept quiet or did not reply to you at the function so that the world would know the difference between a sane and a mad man. It is also obvious that you have lost your sanity—or should I say, this is the heightened stage of dementia… Lastly, I shall appreciate it if you return my money since you publicly admitted you received it, but Dangote brought it back.”
Responding to Fayose’s message, Obasanjo wrote: “Ayo, thanks for your ‘Thank You’ message, which undisguisedly revealed who and what you are, unchanged and unchangeable. Your money has been sent back through Foluso Adeagbo, who brought it, in the same bag as he delivered it, unopened by me.”
Obasanjo, who was the special guest of honour at Fayose’s birthday, also used the occasion to recount the former governor’s history of abusing him. He said that although Fayose had sought forgiveness on several occasions, he continued to show arrogance and bad conduct.
The former president narrated the process leading up to his attendance, saying Fayose initially avoided inviting him directly, instead sending former Minister Osita Chidoka to approach him. Fayose later called and eventually visited, but only after sending an associate, Foluso Adeagbo, ahead to “gauge his feelings.”
“Some people called me and said, ‘We heard that you are going to attend Fayose’s 65th birthday. Have you forgotten how he abused you?’ But I said they should not worry. Irrespective of his character, he remains one of my children,” Obasanjo said.
“But you are not among the best of my political children. Even to get me to attend this occasion, you could not approach me directly. You sent Osita Chidoka to sound me out… When you came, you called your wife, and while on the phone, I said that both of you have not conducted yourselves well—Mo ni eyin mejeji kii somoluwabi [both of you are not Omoluwabi]. Your wife asked for forgiveness, and I said both of you are forgiven.”
Obasanjo also revisited an old disagreement between them, recalling that he had warned Fayose during his time as governor against a government-backed poultry project, which he described as fraudulent and which eventually failed.
In a trending video from the event, the former president urged Fayose to seek genuine repentance as he grows older and to embrace integrity, humility, and reconciliation with those he may have wronged.
