Former President Olusegun Obasanjo and former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose have once again revived their decades-old rivalry, exchanging sharp words in a renewed clash that erupted after Fayose’s 65th birthday celebration.

The long-running feud dates back to the early years of the Fourth Republic when Obasanjo, then President, backed investigations into Fayose’s controversial poultry project, which the EFCC alleged was riddled with corruption. Since then, relations between both men have remained frosty. Fayose has repeatedly accused Obasanjo of corruption and demanded a refund of his N10 million contribution to the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library.

In a surprising twist, however, Fayose visited Obasanjo in Abeokuta last week to personally invite him to his birthday celebration in Lagos. Obasanjo attended as Special Guest of Honour, then used the occasion to recount Fayose’s previous public insults and apologies.

Speaking at the event, Obasanjo said he was repeatedly astonished that Fayose, despite “abusing me at every opportunity,” still summoned the courage to invite him.

Quoting Yoruba proverbs and referencing past encounters, Obasanjo said Fayose had approached him for forgiveness several times but often returned to publicly attacking him.

“You’re not the best of my political children,” Obasanjo declared, “but you have made achievements that must not be ignored.”

Obasanjo narrated how Fayose sent intermediaries, including former minister Osita Chidoka and others, to gauge his mood before the invitation and how he eventually agreed to attend after Fayose’s wife apologized for the couple’s past conduct.

He also revisited the controversial poultry project controversy, noting that he had advised Fayose against directly running a government poultry farm, warning that disease outbreaks like Gomboro could wipe out the birds. Obasanjo recalled visiting Fayose’s farm and questioning suspiciously “neat” two-week-old chicks whose shavings showed no signs of excreta.

The former President further denied ever requesting contributions for his presidential library, saying governors made voluntary donations without pressure.

In closing, Obasanjo urged Fayose to reconcile with those he had offended, warning that “forgiveness and repentance are important” as everyone would eventually face divine judgment.

The public rebuke did not sit well with Fayose. On Monday, he sent Obasanjo a scathing “Thank You” message, filled with insults, which was released to journalists by Obasanjo’s media aide, Kehinde Akinyemi.

While thanking the former president for attending his birthday, Fayose condemned his remarks as “irresponsible,” adding that he had remained silent during the event so that “the whole world would know the difference between a sane man and a mad man.”

Fayose said Obasanjo “belongs in the zoo” and accused him of suffering from “heightened dementia.” He also asked Obasanjo to return the money he sent to facilitate his attendance since Obasanjo had publicly stated that Aliko Dangote provided the aircraft that brought him back to Nigeria.

Obasanjo, through his aide, responded almost immediately.

“Your money has been sent back through Foluso Adeagbo in the same bag he brought it, unopened,” the former President wrote.

Fayose, first elected governor in 2003 under the PDP, initially enjoyed Obasanjo’s political backing. Their relationship collapsed by 2006 after the EFCC indicted Fayose for alleged financial misconduct, leading to his impeachment and the declaration of a state of emergency in Ekiti State.

Fayose has since accused Obasanjo of masterminding his removal, while Obasanjo insists due process was followed. Over the years, their mutual distrust has periodically resurfaced through political jabs, public criticism, and personal attacks.

Despite Fayose’s conciliatory visit ahead of his birthday, last week’s event reignited the animosity between the two influential political figures, culminating in yet another round of public insults and bitter recriminations.