“You Are Supposed to Be Kept Away in the Zoo” — Fayose Tells Obasanjo in Fiery ‘Thank You’ Message

Ayo Fayose and Olusegun Obasanjo have entered another round of open confrontation after Fayose issued a sharply worded message accusing the former president of making offensive remarks at his 65th birthday celebration in Lagos.

The message, released through Obasanjo’s media aide Kehinde Akinyemi, began as a note of appreciation before shifting into a direct attack. Fayose thanked Obasanjo for attending the event but said the former leader’s conduct was unacceptable.

“Your coming to my birthday party, I appreciate except for your very irresponsible comments at your age,” Fayose wrote. He added, “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.”

Fayose said he chose not to respond during the event so that “the world will know the difference between a sane and a mad man.” He accused Obasanjo of being in “the heightened stage of dementia” and said he planned to set the record straight later.

He also demanded repayment of money he claimed Obasanjo previously acknowledged receiving, stating, “I shall appreciate if you return my money since you publicly admitted you received but Dangote brought you back.”

Obasanjo responded in writing, thanking Fayose for the note and challenging his character. “Ayo, thanks for your ‘Thank You’ message which undisguisedly revealed who and what you are, unchanged and unchangeable,” he wrote. He said the money had already been returned “in the same bag” it was delivered, untouched.

Their confrontation comes shortly after Obasanjo publicly revisited their political history at the birthday ceremony, saying Fayose was “not the best” of the political figures who emerged under his influence, though he acknowledged Fayose’s successes.

The dispute revives a rivalry that stretches back nearly two decades, marked by the 2006 political crisis in Ekiti and repeated episodes of public hostility. Akinyemi said Obasanjo now considers the matter closed after sending the money back.