By Erewunmi Peace

A fresh controversy has erupted between former President Olusegun Obasanjo and former Ekiti State governor, Ayodele Fayose, after a video surfaced online showing tensions over an alleged $20,000 payment made for Obasanjo to attend Fayose’s 65th birthday celebration.

The incident, which went viral on social media over the weekend, began after Fayose publicly claimed that Obasanjo had requested and received $20,000 to cover travel logistics for attending the event. According to him, despite collecting the money, the former president used the occasion to make comments that Fayose considered embarrassing.

Fayose stated that he felt “disrespected” by Obasanjo’s remarks and demanded a refund of the money. In the now-trending video, the former governor expressed his displeasure, saying he “would have hit Obasanjo with a microphone” out of anger.

Following public backlash and media discussions, multiple reports indicate that Obasanjo has now returned the money to Fayose. Sources close to the former president confirmed that the funds were refunded after the controversy intensified online.

The incident has sparked mixed reactions across Nigeria, with many questioning the ethics of political relationships and financial expectations among public figures. Others have viewed the exchange as another episode in the long-standing political friction between both men.

Neither Obasanjo nor his media office has issued a detailed official statement beyond confirming the refund. Fayose, however, maintains his stance that the entire situation was avoidable and unnecessary.

As the drama continues to trend, Nigerians on social media have been reacting with humour, criticism, and calls for greater transparency among political leaders.