Former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, says he has returned money allegedly given to him by former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, after the latter sent him a scathing “thank you” message following Obasanjo’s attendance at his birthday celebration.
The development was contained in a press statement made available to newsmen in Abeokuta on Monday, 17th November, 2025,by Obasanjo’s Special Assistant on Media, Kehinde Akinyemi.
According to the statement, Obasanjo confirmed receiving what he described as a “thank you letter” sent via SMS by Fayose after gracing his birthday event.
In the message, Fayose appreciated the former president for attending his birthday, but launched into a barrage of insults over comments allegedly made by Obasanjo at the occasion.
Part of Fayose’s SMS read thus: “Dear Baba Obasanjo, I trust this meets you well. Your coming to my birthday party, I appreciate except for your very irresponsible comments at your age. You went so low but am not surprised because someone once said you are supposed be kept away in the zoo. Sincerely that’s where you belong.
“I kept quiet or did not reply you at the function so that the world will know the difference between a sane and a mad man that you are. It is also obvious that you have also lost your sanity OR should I say is the heightened stage of dementia. Not to worry Baba, I shall set the records straight in due course of time. Lastly, I shall appreciate if you return my money since you publicly admitted you received but Dangote brought u back. “Your leopard will never change his skin.”
Obasanjo, in a terse response also contained in the statement, said Fayose’s message had only revealed his true nature and confirmed his character.
The former President stated: “Ayo, thanks for your ‘Thank You’ message which undisguisedly revealed who and what you are, unchanged and unchangeable. Your money has been sent back through Foluso Adeagbo who brought it and in the same bag as he brought it unopened by me. Obj.”
Akinyemi noted that the former President considered it necessary to make both Fayose’s message and his reply public “in order to set the records straight” regarding the allegation that he collected money from the former Ekiti governor.
The statement was issued from Abeokuta on Monday, 17th November, 2025, and signed by Kehinde Akinyemi, Special Assistant on Media to former President Obasanjo.
