How Obasanjo provoked me so much that I wanted to hit him with microphone — Fayose

Former Ekiti State Governor, Ayo Fayose, has disclosed how he was provoked by former President Olusegun Obasanjo during his 65th birthday celebration that he almost felt like grabbing the microphone and hitting him.

In a recent interview, Fayose recounted how he had tried to reconcile with Obasanjo ahead of the party, saying he reached out through a mutual friend.

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

He insisted, however, that his call was not an apology, adding, “I did not offend him. He was the one that removed me from office. If anybody should apologise, it is him.”

Fayose said Obasanjo welcomed him at his home before the event and even agreed to attend despite having another engagement in Rwanda.

The former governor also said he arranged travel logistics for the ex-president, providing $20,000 for the trip.

“How can you accept somebody’s money and come and be spiting that person?” he asked.

Tensions, Fayose said, started when Obasanjo insisted on speaking last at the party, even after the vice-president was scheduled to close the event.

He described the speech, which lasted over an hour, as laced with veiled attacks.

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

He said his anger peaked at that moment.

“I was enraged. I felt like taking the mic from Obasanjo’s hand and hitting it on his head. But to show maturity, not by age, and because the vice-president was present, I kept my cool,” he added.

Fayose said his efforts to reconcile were sincere but that Obasanjo’s actions proved he was not interested in peace.

“If I knew this was how it would end, what do I need Obasanjo for? Am I contesting election? Do I need his validation? No,” he concluded.

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