Former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose has revealed that ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo returned the $20,000 he gave him during his 65th birthday celebration after their relationship took another bitter turn.
The money was meant to cover Obasanjo’s travel expenses to the event, but what started as an apparent reconciliation quickly fell apart.
Fayose had invited Obasanjo through former aviation minister Osita Chidoka, hoping to ease nearly two decades of tension between them. However, he made it clear he wasn’t apologizing.
“I never called to go and apologize to Baba. I did not offend him. He was the one that removed me from office. If anybody should apologize, it is him,” Fayose told AF24 News.
Obasanjo showed up, took photos, and even acknowledged Fayose’s political contributions, but then called him “not the best” of his mentees.
That comment didn’t sit well with the birthday celebrant, especially after he’d just handed over $20,000.
“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 said.
After confronting Obasanjo about the insult, Fayose got his money back.
“I have written to him, and he has returned my $20,000. I thank him for returning it. I have changed it to naira. I am very happy. I will not allow such a man to carry my money away.”
Fayose isn’t done. He’s now demanding that Obasanjo return another ₦10 million, money he contributed in 2005 toward the Obasanjo Presidential Library when he was among 30 PDP governors asked to donate.
“My money, you can’t go with that money, Baba. Whatever… I just want my ₦10 million. The moment I get it today, I will confirm it. You can’t be disparaging people and be chopping their money, that is 419,” he said.
