The Olu of Orile Kemta in Ogun State, Oba Adetokunbo Tejuosho, on Tuesday strongly criticised former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose over what he described as a disrespectful and abusive thank-you message sent to former President Olusegun Obasanjo. Obasanjo had attended Fayose’s 65th birthday celebration in Lagos last week as the special guest of honour.
In a statement titled “A Royal Rebuke to Ayo Fayose,” the monarch described Fayose’s message as unguarded, uncultured, and unnecessary.
Fayose had on Monday attacked Obasanjo, calling his remarks at the birthday celebration irresponsible and demanding that the former president return the money sent to facilitate his attendance. Fayose also alleged that Obasanjo should be kept in a zoo — a comment that sparked widespread outrage.
Obasanjo responded by saying, “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.”
Reacting further, Oba Tejuosho said Fayose’s behaviour exposed his “hollowness and haughtiness,” stressing that Obasanjo’s status as a former military Head of State, two-term civilian President, global statesman, and Yoruba elder could not be diminished by “infantile arrogance.”
The monarch said:
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Fayose’s message was not an act of courage, but “reckless and unguarded noise.”
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Obasanjo’s earlier remark at Fayose’s birthday—distinguishing courage from foolhardiness—was accurate.
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Fayose had shown “a staggering poverty of wisdom” by dishonouring an elder.
Tejuosho added, “You speak against a general while standing on ground secured by his service and sacrifice. You spit towards the sky, forgetting the rain will fall back on your face.”
The monarch reminded Fayose that:
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Obasanjo is a central figure in Nigeria’s history and a pride of the Yoruba people.
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Fayose was only 16 when Obasanjo became Head of State, and it was Obasanjo’s support that helped him become governor in 2003.
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Attempting to discredit Obasanjo is akin to “barking at a lion that the entire forest pauses to honour.”
Oba Tejuosho further said that if Fayose had issues with Obasanjo, he should have addressed them privately — just as he privately sought Obasanjo’s attendance — instead of releasing a “disgusting and insulting message to an elder statesman.”
ADEOLA KUNLE
