‘I felt like hitting him with microphone,’ Fayose speaks on Obasanjo’s birthday speech

Abdullateef Fowewe

Former Ekiti State Governor, Ayo Fayose has recounted his reaction to former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s contentious speech during his 65th birthday celebration, revealing he was so angered he “felt like hitting him with a microphone.”

Fayose explained that despite his attempt to reconcile and mend fences before the event, Obasanjo’s speech was filled with veiled attacks which deeply offended him.

Fayose said he had reached out to Obasanjo through a mutual friend in a bid to make peace, stating, “Whatever differences we have had in the past, let’s put it behind.”

He clarified that his call was not an apology since Obasanjo was the one who had him removed from office in 2006, saying, “If anybody should apologise, it is him.”

He claimed that he also provided money for Obasanjo’s travel to the party.

Fayose said, “I changed $20,000 and gave it to him. How can you accept somebody’s money and come and be spitting that person?”

“I was enraged. I felt like taking the mic from Obasanjo’s hand and hitting it on his head. This is being sincere,” he narrated, but out of respect for the presence of the vice-president and his own maturity, he kept his composure.

The incident exposed the lingering animosity between the two men, which traces back to Fayose’s 2006 removal from office during Obasanjo’s presidency.

Fayose lamented Obasanjo’s insistence on speaking last at the event and the public criticism he faced, which he described as irresponsible given Obasanjo’s age.

“How do you say such things to a man on his 65th birthday?” Fayose asked, underscoring his disappointment and disillusionment with the former president’s conduct.