A fresh war of words has erupted between former President Olusegun Obasanjo and former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose, days after what many believed was a reconciliatory visit by Fayose to Obasanjo’s Abeokuta residence.

The renewed confrontation reportedly stems from a controversial text message Fayose sent to Obasanjo following his attendance at the former president’s birthday celebration in Ekiti.

Details of the message were disclosed Monday by Obasanjo’s Special Assistant on Media, Kehinde Akinyemi.

Sources familiar with the encounter told THEWILL that Obasanjo made pointed jokes and remarks touching on Fayose’s past political conduct, which reportedly unsettled the former governor.

Their earlier meeting had raised public expectations that the duo had finally buried their 19-year political feud.

Photos from the Abeokuta visit showed both men smiling and exchanging warm gestures, prompting speculation about a possible political realignment ahead of the 2027 election cycle.

But the latest developments suggest the hostility between them remains deeply entrenched.

According to Akinyemi, Fayose’s purported “thank you” message quickly escalated into a scathing personal attack.

In the SMS, Fayose accused Obasanjo of making “very irresponsible comments” during the birthday event.

The “Thank You” note read in part, “Dear Baba Obasanjo, I trust this meets you well. Your coming to my birthday party, I appreciate it, except for your very irresponsible comments at your age. You went so low, but I am not surprised because someone once said you are supposed to be kept away in the zoo. Sincerely, that’s where you belong.

He wrote: “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.”

Fayose further alleged that Obasanjo was suffering from “the heightened stage of dementia,” adding: “It is also obvious that you have lost your sanity.”

He also demanded a refund of money he claimed Obasanjo publicly admitted receiving, stating: “I shall appreciate if you return my money since you publicly admitted you received but Dangote brought you back.”

Obasanjo, in a curt but firm reply, dismissed Fayose’s message as reflective of the former governor’s true character.

“Ayo, thanks for your ‘Thank You’ message which undisguisedly revealed who and what you are, unchanged and unchangeable,” he wrote.

The former president confirmed returning the money in the same condition it was received.

“Your money has been sent back through Foluso Adeagbo who brought it and in the same bag as he brought it, unopened by me,” Obasanjo stated.