Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, on Monday, revealed the insulting and abusive “Thank You” text message he received from former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose following his attendance at Fayose’s 65th birthday in Lagos last week.
The SMS, described as a “Thank You” note, was made available to journalists in Abeokuta by Obasanjo’s Special Assistant on Media, Kehinde Akinyemi.
In the message, Fayose expressed appreciation for Obasanjo’s attendance but criticised what he called the 89-year-old former president’s “irresponsible comments” during the birthday celebration.
The former governor said he chose not to respond at the event to show “the whole world the difference between a sane man and a mad man.”
Fayose also requested that Obasanjo promptly return the money he had sent to facilitate his attendance at the birthday ceremony.
The “Thank You” note read in part, “Dear Baba Obasanjo, I trust this meets you well. Your coming to my birthday party, I appreciate it, 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.
“I kept quiet or did not reply to you at the function so that the world would know the difference between a sane and a mad man. It is also obvious that you have lost your sanity—or should I say, this is the heightened stage of dementia.
“Not to worry, Baba. I shall set the records straight in due course. Lastly, I shall appreciate it if you return my money since you publicly admitted you received it, but Dangote brought it back. Your leopard will never change its skin.”
Replying to Fayose, Obasanjo was quoted as saying, “Ayo, thanks for your ‘Thank You’ message, which undisguisedly revealed who and what you are, unchanged and unchangeable. Your money has been sent back through Foluso Adeagbo, who brought it, in the same bag as he delivered it, unopened by me.”
Fayose had repeatedly abused him in the past without showing remorse.
He explained that despite seeking forgiveness several times, Fayose continued to insult him, displaying arrogance.
Obasanjo also said that Fayose did not initially invite him to the birthday, instead sending former Minister Osita Chidoka as an intermediary before visiting personally.
He said, “Some people called me and said, ‘We heard that you are going to attend Fayose’s 65th birthday. Have you forgotten how he abused you?’ But I said they should not worry. Irrespective of his character, he remains one of my children.
“But you are not among the best of my political children. Even to get me to attend this occasion, you could not approach me directly. You sent Osita Chidoka to sound me out. You later phoned me, and I said you could come see me at any time.
