Why I almost hit Obasanjo with microphone at my birthday party – Fayose

Former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose has revealed that he was so angered by former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s comments during his 65th birthday celebration that he briefly felt like grabbing the microphone and striking him.

In a recent interview, Fayose recounted the events leading up to the ceremony held in Lagos, offering a rare glimpse into the tense moment that nearly turned dramatic.

At the event, Obasanjo reflecting on his long and often contentious relationship with Fayose described the former governor as “not the best” of his political protégés, even while acknowledging his political achievements. The comments, Fayose said, were laced with insult.

According to him, two weeks before the celebration, he decided to reach out to political associates and rivals with whom he had disagreed in the past.

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

He said he contacted Obasanjo through a mutual friend named Osita, who provided the ex-president’s phone number. However, Fayose insisted that the outreach was not an apology.

“I never called to apologise to Baba. I did not offend him. He was the one that removed me from office. If anyone should apologise, it is him,” Fayose stated.

Fayose recounted that Obasanjo welcomed him into his home days before the ceremony and confirmed he would attend the birthday despite having another engagement in Rwanda. He added that Obasanjo requested assistance with travel logistics.

“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?” he said.

The former governor said he became uneasy when Obasanjo insisted on speaking last at the event, a position originally reserved for the vice-president. He claimed the former president later instructed the moderator to call the vice-president before him, and then asked that Fayose and his wife stand beside him throughout a speech that lasted one hour and fourteen minutes….

Fayose said the speech was filled with subtle jabs and provocative remarks.

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

It was at this point, he said, that his anger surged.

“I was enraged. I felt like taking the mic from Obasanjo’s hand and hitting it on his head. This is being sincere.

But to show maturity not by age and because of the love I have for myself and the presence of the vice-president, I kept my cool.”