Ex- Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, has disclosed that he nearly confronted former President Olusegun Obasanjo during his 65th birthday celebration over comments he described as “uncomplimentary” and “provocative.”
Speaking on the incident, Fayose said Obasanjo’s remarks were so upsetting that he momentarily considered physically lashing out but restrained himself out of respect for Vice President Kashim Shettima, who was present at the event.
“I was enraged. I felt like taking the mic from Obasanjo’s hand and hitting it on his head. This is being sincere,” Fayose said. “But to show maturity — not by age but by self-respect, and out of consideration for the vice-president’s presence — I kept my cool. How do you say such things to a man on his 65th birthday?”
Fayose noted that he had hoped for a cordial encounter, insisting he had no need for Obasanjo’s political validation. 
“If I knew this was how it would end, what do I need Obasanjo for? Am I contesting an election? Do I need his validation? No.”
He added that contrary to claims of reconciliation efforts, he never reached out to apologise to the former president.
“I never called to apologise to Baba. I did not offend him. He was the one who removed me from office. If anybody should apologise, it is he.”
The former governor also disclosed that he had extended goodwill to Obasanjo before the event, including changing $20,000 and giving it to him.
“How can you accept somebody’s money and come and be spitting on that person?” he asked.
Fayose further described the sequence of events at the celebration, saying Obasanjo insisted on speaking last and arranged the programme in a manner that made him uncomfortable.
“He later directed the moderator to invite Vice President Kashim Shettima before him and requested that I and my wife stand beside him throughout a speech that lasted one hour, 14 minutes.”
Fayose’s account has sparked renewed interest in the long-standing frosty relationship between both men, which dates back to his impeachment and removal from office in 2006 during Obasanjo’s presidency.
