By The Daily Torch media
Former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, has revealed that he gave $20,000 to former President Olusegun Obasanjo to attend his 65th birthday celebration — money which has now been returned.
Speaking in an interview with AF24News, Fayose claimed he had to change the money in two batches of 10,000 each before handing it over to Foluso Adeagbo, who then delivered it to Obasanjo.
“How can you take somebody’s money and then turn around to publicly disparage that person?” Fayose asked.
He insisted he never wronged Obasanjo and had no reason to apologise. “I never called to apologise to Baba. I did not offend him. He was the one who removed me from office and declared a state of emergency in Ekiti,” Fayose stated.
According to him, Obasanjo has since returned the money. “Obasanjo has returned my $20,000 and I thank him for that. It’s in my possession now and I’ve changed it to Naira,” he added.
Fayose explained that he reached out to Obasanjo in good faith after the former president had told him he could call him directly. “I called him, and he said, ‘You don’t need Osita to call me, you can call me anytime.’ How else should one reach out? I acted in good faith,” he said.
The renewed friction between the two stems from Obasanjo’s comments during Fayose’s birthday event in Lagos. In his speech, Obasanjo reflected on their turbulent history, describing Fayose as “not the best” of his political protégés but acknowledging his resilience and accomplishments.
Fayose responded in a strongly worded letter, thanking Obasanjo for attending but criticizing his remarks. “Your coming to my birthday, I appreciate — except for your very irresponsible comments at your age,” he wrote.
He concluded, “You went so low, but I’m not surprised. Someone once said you’re supposed to be kept in a zoo. Sincerely, that’s where you belong.”
Fayose: I Paid Obasanjo $20,000 Just to Attend My Birthday — He Later Returned It”
