Our Reporter, Abuja
Former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, has sparked a fresh political storm after issuing a scathing “thank you” message to former President Olusegun Obasanjo, alleging that the elder statesman “belongs to the zoo.”
The unusual message, sent via SMS and made public on Monday by Obasanjo’s Special Assistant on Media, Kehinde Akinyemi, came barely 24 hours after the former President attended Fayose’s 65th birthday celebration.
According to Akinyemi, Fayose’s message sharply criticised Obasanjo over comments the former President reportedly made at the event.
Fayose’s Fierce Rebuke
In the text message, Fayose thanked Obasanjo for attending his birthday but lambasted him for what he described as “very irresponsible comments.”
Part of the message reads: “Dear Baba Obasanjo, I trust this meets you well. Your coming to my birthday party, I appreciate 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.”
The former governor added that he refrained from responding at the event “so that the world will know the difference between a sane and a mad man,” accusing Obasanjo of showing signs of “dementia.”
Fayose further demanded the return of his money, referencing Obasanjo’s public admission that he had received the funds before “Dangote brought you back.”
OBJ Responds Calmly
Obasanjo, in a brief response also shared by Akinyemi, dismissed Fayose’s tirade, saying the message only confirmed the former governor’s character.
“Ayo, thanks for your ‘Thank You’ message which undisguisedly revealed who and what you are, unchanged and unchangeable,” Obasanjo wrote.
He added that the money Fayose referenced had been returned through the same person who delivered it.
“Your money has been sent back through Foluso Adeagbo who brought it and in the same bag as he brought it, unopened by me.”
The exchange has since generated widespread reactions, with many Nigerians expressing shock over the escalation of hostilities between the two politicians.
Akinyemi Confirms Authenticity
Kehinde Akinyemi, the former President’s media aide, confirmed the authenticity of both Fayose’s SMS and Obasanjo’s reply, describing the encounter as “unfortunate.”
