‘You are also a bastard. In fact, you are a bastard father. You are a former president and I’m a former governor. You are not superior to me. If you think you can mess up anybody, not me. You deserve no respect anywhere, not even in Yorubaland. If you try me, I will deal with you’
Joshua Dada, Osogbo
OKUKU, a sleepy town in Osun State, was turned to a theatre of ‘war’ yesterday by former President Olusegun Obasanjo and former governor of Ekiti State, Ayo Fayose.
Prominent Nigerians were in the town to attend a church thanksgiving service for the seven-and-a-half-year incumbency of former governor of the South-West state, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola.
Oyinlola, who was elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), held sway as the Chief Security Officer of the State of the Livingspring until he was sacked by the Court of Appeal, sitting in Ibadan, penultimate Friday.
The service was held at St Michael’s Anglican Cathedral, Okuku, and the sermon was delivered by Rt. Rev. Ayo Ladigbolu.
After the service, the former governor’s guests moved to his palatial residence and that was when the drama started.
Obasanjo, wearing a white agbada, was sitting with former military President, General Ibrahim Babangida (rtd); Oyinlola; Oyo State Governor, Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala; former Managing Director of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Mr. Akin Osuntokun, and others when Fayose entered the living room about 2.14 p.m.
Sporting a white buba and sokoto, Fayose greeted Babangida and others but ignored Obasanjo.
Thinking it was an oversight, the former Ekiti governor was told he was yet to greet Obasanjo and he said he had no reason to extend such a gesture towards him.
Obasanjo, who was already livid because of the affront, told Fayose: “You are a bastard.”
At that moment, Fayose became infuriated and he started shouting: “You are also a bastard. In fact, you are a bastard father. You are a former president and I’m a former governor. You are not superior to me. If you think you can mess up anybody, not me. You deserve no respect anywhere, not even in Yorubaland. If you try me, I will deal with you.
“I’m a member of Labour Party, not the PDP. I’m only here because of my personal respect for a former colleague and this is not a PDP matter. I’m not a contractor and I’m not looking for contract from you or the PDP. Your time has passed and you are living under the illusion of the past.”
A source said “everybody was shocked.”
Securitymen attached to Obasanjo and Fayose were confused as they didn’t know what to do when the former governor assaulted Obasanjo.
Fayose was advised to calm down but he and Obasanjo behaved like a cat and mouse for the duration of the time spent before they departed.
After about 30 minutes, Fayose left “and Obasanjo departed 10 minutes later.”
The source said the altercation could be traced to the October 16, 2006 event when Fayose was impeached allegedly on the prompting of Obasanjo.
When contacted, Fayose confirmed the shouting match between the duo.
Asked whether he apologised to the former president, he said: “Apologise to who? I will never apologise to somebody like that. I am convinced that what I did was right. I am not prepared to apologise to him at all because he is not an honourable man.”
Earlier at the service, Oyinlola admonished the people of the state to fortify the administration of his successor, Mr. Rauf Aregbesola, with prayers just like they did for him so that he (Aregbesola) will succeed.
Bishop Ladigbolu also urged politicians to recognise the opposition, rather than see the other party as an adversary.
At the service were Obasanjo; Babangida; Governors Gbenga Daniel of Ogun State; Alao Akala; Minister of Youth, Senator Akinlabi Olasunkanmi; former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mrs Olubunmi Etteh; Dr. Yemi Farounbi, Col. Theophilus Bamgboye (rtd); Elder Segun Akinwusi; Speaker, Osun State House of Assembly, Adejare Bello; former Deputy National Chairman (South) of the PDP, Chief Shuaib Oyedokun; General Patrick Aziza; former Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Otunba Femi Pedro; former Osun State Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Alhaji Fatai Akinade Akinbade, and National Vice-Chairman, (South-West) of the PDP, Alhaji Tajudeen Oladipo.
Others were Chief Nathaniel Oke; Akogun Lere Oyewumi; Mr. Festus Adeyemo; Chief Funso Isola; Dr. Muyiwa Oladimeji; Chief Alafe Aluko; Yusuf Alli (SAN); Hon. Wole Oke; Evangelist Betty Bakare; Rev. Bunmi Jenyo; Mr. Diran Odeyemi; Elder Adetoyese Ojo; Hon. Niyi Owolade; Mrs Feyi Fayose; Bishop Fajemirokun; Rev Badejo; Rev Adegoke; Colonel Emmanuel Soda; Alhaji Ademola Rasaq; Mrs. Kemi Martins; Alhaji Adebayo Adelodun; Otunba Kunle Kalejaye; Mr. Tunde Osanupin; Alhaji Lateef Bakare; Chief Olufemi Omotara; Dr. Bayo Faforiji and Justice Oladoke.
Oyinlola charged the people to cooperate with the Aregbesola administration because “Osun State is our own Jerusalem and we have no other place to claim, as such, we must pray for its goodness.”
He thanked God for giving him the opportunity to serve the state, just as he expressed his deep appreciation to the people for the “wonderful show of support” since the Court of Appeal verdict that ousted him.
Oyinlola said his joy knew no bounds for the achievements he recorded while in power, stressing that the welfare of the people he ruled over was the focal point of his administration.
On the court verdict which ousted him, Oyinlola praised his legal team for a job well done, saying that what happened was the will of God.
He said he had not lost any sleep over the matter because “if there is no disappointment, there cannot be any appointment. “
Bishop Ladigbolu said the occasion was one of joy for the Oyinlola family whose son did not disappoint the people while in government.
He added that “God does not disappoint his people. He is always available to support His people.”
According to the Bishop, there should be continuity in governance, saying Oyinlola has done his best for Osun State and it is now the turn of another person and the people should also support the new government as they supported Oyinlola for the state to progress.
Quoting from the book of Isaiah Chapter 40:28-41, the cleric admonished Oyinlola to stand by the Lord and forget whatever wrong anybody might have done to him and should also forgive whosoever might have offended him.
His words: “ This is the day to forgive, a day to ask for forgiveness and indeed a day to decide to follow God”.
High point of the event was a special number rendered by Oyinlola’s wife, Omolola, and daughter entitled “Count your blessing.”
Joshua Dada, Osogbo
OKUKU, a sleepy town in Osun State, was turned to a theatre of ‘war’ yesterday by former President Olusegun Obasanjo and former governor of Ekiti State, Ayo Fayose.
Prominent Nigerians were in the town to attend a church thanksgiving service for the seven-and-a-half-year incumbency of former governor of the South-West state, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola.
Oyinlola, who was elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), held sway as the Chief Security Officer of the State of the Livingspring until he was sacked by the Court of Appeal, sitting in Ibadan, penultimate Friday.
The service was held at St Michael’s Anglican Cathedral, Okuku, and the sermon was delivered by Rt. Rev. Ayo Ladigbolu.
After the service, the former governor’s guests moved to his palatial residence and that was when the drama started.
Obasanjo, wearing a white agbada, was sitting with former military President, General Ibrahim Babangida (rtd); Oyinlola; Oyo State Governor, Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala; former Managing Director of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Mr. Akin Osuntokun, and others when Fayose entered the living room about 2.14 p.m.
Sporting a white buba and sokoto, Fayose greeted Babangida and others but ignored Obasanjo.
Thinking it was an oversight, the former Ekiti governor was told he was yet to greet Obasanjo and he said he had no reason to extend such a gesture towards him.
Obasanjo, who was already livid because of the affront, told Fayose: “You are a bastard.”
At that moment, Fayose became infuriated and he started shouting: “You are also a bastard. In fact, you are a bastard father. You are a former president and I’m a former governor. You are not superior to me. If you think you can mess up anybody, not me. You deserve no respect anywhere, not even in Yorubaland. If you try me, I will deal with you.
“I’m a member of Labour Party, not the PDP. I’m only here because of my personal respect for a former colleague and this is not a PDP matter. I’m not a contractor and I’m not looking for contract from you or the PDP. Your time has passed and you are living under the illusion of the past.”
A source said “everybody was shocked.”
Securitymen attached to Obasanjo and Fayose were confused as they didn’t know what to do when the former governor assaulted Obasanjo.
Fayose was advised to calm down but he and Obasanjo behaved like a cat and mouse for the duration of the time spent before they departed.
After about 30 minutes, Fayose left “and Obasanjo departed 10 minutes later.”
The source said the altercation could be traced to the October 16, 2006 event when Fayose was impeached allegedly on the prompting of Obasanjo.
When contacted, Fayose confirmed the shouting match between the duo.
Asked whether he apologised to the former president, he said: “Apologise to who? I will never apologise to somebody like that. I am convinced that what I did was right. I am not prepared to apologise to him at all because he is not an honourable man.”
Earlier at the service, Oyinlola admonished the people of the state to fortify the administration of his successor, Mr. Rauf Aregbesola, with prayers just like they did for him so that he (Aregbesola) will succeed.
Bishop Ladigbolu also urged politicians to recognise the opposition, rather than see the other party as an adversary.
At the service were Obasanjo; Babangida; Governors Gbenga Daniel of Ogun State; Alao Akala; Minister of Youth, Senator Akinlabi Olasunkanmi; former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mrs Olubunmi Etteh; Dr. Yemi Farounbi, Col. Theophilus Bamgboye (rtd); Elder Segun Akinwusi; Speaker, Osun State House of Assembly, Adejare Bello; former Deputy National Chairman (South) of the PDP, Chief Shuaib Oyedokun; General Patrick Aziza; former Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Otunba Femi Pedro; former Osun State Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Alhaji Fatai Akinade Akinbade, and National Vice-Chairman, (South-West) of the PDP, Alhaji Tajudeen Oladipo.
Others were Chief Nathaniel Oke; Akogun Lere Oyewumi; Mr. Festus Adeyemo; Chief Funso Isola; Dr. Muyiwa Oladimeji; Chief Alafe Aluko; Yusuf Alli (SAN); Hon. Wole Oke; Evangelist Betty Bakare; Rev. Bunmi Jenyo; Mr. Diran Odeyemi; Elder Adetoyese Ojo; Hon. Niyi Owolade; Mrs Feyi Fayose; Bishop Fajemirokun; Rev Badejo; Rev Adegoke; Colonel Emmanuel Soda; Alhaji Ademola Rasaq; Mrs. Kemi Martins; Alhaji Adebayo Adelodun; Otunba Kunle Kalejaye; Mr. Tunde Osanupin; Alhaji Lateef Bakare; Chief Olufemi Omotara; Dr. Bayo Faforiji and Justice Oladoke.
Oyinlola charged the people to cooperate with the Aregbesola administration because “Osun State is our own Jerusalem and we have no other place to claim, as such, we must pray for its goodness.”
He thanked God for giving him the opportunity to serve the state, just as he expressed his deep appreciation to the people for the “wonderful show of support” since the Court of Appeal verdict that ousted him.
Oyinlola said his joy knew no bounds for the achievements he recorded while in power, stressing that the welfare of the people he ruled over was the focal point of his administration.
On the court verdict which ousted him, Oyinlola praised his legal team for a job well done, saying that what happened was the will of God.
He said he had not lost any sleep over the matter because “if there is no disappointment, there cannot be any appointment. “
Bishop Ladigbolu said the occasion was one of joy for the Oyinlola family whose son did not disappoint the people while in government.
He added that “God does not disappoint his people. He is always available to support His people.”
According to the Bishop, there should be continuity in governance, saying Oyinlola has done his best for Osun State and it is now the turn of another person and the people should also support the new government as they supported Oyinlola for the state to progress.
Quoting from the book of Isaiah Chapter 40:28-41, the cleric admonished Oyinlola to stand by the Lord and forget whatever wrong anybody might have done to him and should also forgive whosoever might have offended him.
His words: “ This is the day to forgive, a day to ask for forgiveness and indeed a day to decide to follow God”.
High point of the event was a special number rendered by Oyinlola’s wife, Omolola, and daughter entitled “Count your blessing.”
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