According to a report by TVC News on Tuesday, November 25, 2025, former Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose has given a detailed account of the tense atmosphere that unfolded during his 65th birthday celebration, revealing that he briefly felt an urge to react physically after former President Olusegun Obasanjo made comments about their political history.
In a new interview, Fayose explained that the Lagos event, intended as a moment of reflection and reconciliation, took an unexpected turn when Obasanjo used his goodwill message to revisit their long-standing disagreements. The former president assessed Fayose’s political trajectory in a way the celebrant considered disparaging, recalling their troubled relationship and suggesting that the Ekiti politician was not among his most successful protégés.
Fayose stated that he was taken aback by the remarks because the days leading up to the event had suggested a more cordial tone. He said the former president had visited his residence before the ceremony, where they exchanged pleasantries and held what he believed to be a friendly conversation. During that meeting, Obasanjo confirmed that despite having a prior commitment in Rwanda, he would still honour the birthday celebration. He said; “We took pictures together. All in good faith, I changed $20,000 and gave it to him. How can you accept somebody’s money and come and be spiting that person?”
According to Fayose, he facilitated travel arrangements for the former president and provided funds to support his logistics. He maintained that these gestures were made sincerely and without expectation of repayment or favour. The former governor emphasized that he had no reason to seek forgiveness, insisting that the political events that led to his removal from office were engineered by Obasanjo, not the other way around. He expressed disappointment that someone he had hosted warmly, and assisted financially shortly before the event, chose to publicly revisit grievances at what was meant to be a celebratory gathering. Fayose said the comments struck him as a deliberate provocation, though he managed to restrain himself throughout the programme.
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