Former Ekiti State governor, Ayo Fayose, has disclosed that former President Olusegun Obasanjo returned the $20,000 he provided for Obasanjo’s travel expenses during Fayose’s 65th birthday celebration. The repayment comes amid renewed tensions between the two politicians, whose political estrangement has lasted nearly two decades.
Although there was a brief attempt at reconciliation during the birthday event, Obasanjo’s remarks reignited the feud. The former president described Fayose as “not the best” of his mentees while acknowledging some of his political achievements—comments that Fayose strongly rejected.
In a recent interview with AF24 News, Fayose explained that he had reached out to Obasanjo through mutual friend and former aviation minister Osita Chidoka to invite him to the celebration, stressing that his call was not an apology.
“I never called to go and apologise to Baba. I did not offend him. He was the one that removed me from office. If anybody should apologise, it is him,” Fayose said.
He expressed frustration over Obasanjo’s comments, noting:
“We took pictures together. All in good faith. I changed $20,000 and gave it to him. How can you accept somebody’s money and come and be spiting that person?”
Fayose confirmed that after sending a firm message to Obasanjo, the money was returned:
“I have written to him, and he has returned my $20,000. And I thank him for returning it. It is in my possession now. I have changed it to naira. I am very happy. I will not allow such a man to carry my money away.”
He also revisited an earlier political controversy, recalling that in 2005, 30 PDP governors were asked to contribute N10 million each to the Obasanjo Presidential Library in Abeokuta. Fayose insisted he is entitled to a refund of his contribution:
“I wrote to him, he (Obasanjo) did not publish that one, ‘my money, you can’t go with that money, baba.’ I wrote to him, with all humility, that since he has accepted at my birthday that he received that money through governors’ forum, that means the one for me, he should return that money. Whatever, I just want my N10 million. The moment I get it today, I will confirm that I received it. You can’t be disparaging people and be chopping their money, that is 419.”
Fayose’s revelation highlights the ongoing tension and unresolved financial disputes between the two veteran politicians, even decades after their initial political fallout.
