USA Africa Dialogue Series - Obasanjo Releases Fayose 2012 Letter of Apology

Obasanjo Releases Fayose 2012 Letter of Apology

SPECIAL REPORTS

2014-12-06 17:05:38

*Says Gov. Will Soon Beg Him Again 

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has asked Nigerians not to take the Ekiti State governor, Ayo Fayose, serious over his current verbal attacks on the Ex-President as the latter had barely two years ago written begged him over previous insult and will so do same again.

But Obasanjo, through one of his associates, disclosed that Fayose wrote him a letter, begging him two years ago to facilitate his (Fayose) return to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Governor Fayose had last week in Ile Ife, Osun State, lambasted Obasanjo over what he sees as Obasanjo's unnecessary outbursts on President Goodluck Jonathan.

Also, Fayose had on Friday condemned Thursday's visit of five Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors to former President Obasanjo, saying the visit would further encourage disrespect for the office of the president of Nigeria.

Fayose said in a statement made available to newsmen in Ado Ekiti on Friday that "visiting Obasanjo to plead with him to rescind his decision not to participate in the party's activities was capable of encouraging other members of the party to openly disrespect the office of President and Commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria as being done by Obasanjo."

Governor Fayose also called for "immediate suspension of the former president from the PDP for anti-party activities," and contended that "a man who has refused to respect the office of the President of Nigeria that he once occupied does not also deserve respect from anyone."

Fayose's letter, dated 26th June, 2012, was exclusively obtained by Saturday Tribune.

Below is the content of the letter Fayose wrote to Obasanjo and the former president's reply to Fayose's letter.

Fayose's Letter:

"Dear Baba,

"There is no denying the fact that my relationship with you has gone sour as a result of my action and inaction which have definitely caused you embarrassment in public and this has marred our very good father-son relationship in the past.

"I take responsibility for my overreaction and disrespect to your person which is most regretted, I am indeed sorry.

"I pray that God will give you the grace to let go of the past knowing fully well that I am human and therefore not infallible especially considering the circumstances surrounding my removal from office.

"To further buttress my willingness to seek peace with you, I could recall that I had made several efforts to this effect by consulting your close allies in the persons of Aare Afe Babalola (SAN), Chief Omilani and Pastor Oyedepo amongst others.

"Lastly, kindly disregard all insinuations or political blackmailing suggestive of my doing or saying anything contradicting my present disposition as contained in this letter.

"My reconciliation with your goodself may not go down well with some of my political opponents, but you remain the father of all.

"My wife sends her love and greetings.

"With high regards.

Signed

Ayo Fayose.

Obasanjo's reply dated July 18, 2012

"Dear Ayo,

"I write to acknowledge the receipt of your letter dated June 26, 2012 pleading with me to forgive you, as you put it, for your action and inaction which have caused me embarrassment in the public.

"As for the embarrassment and personal insult to me, forgiveness is divine and I will not withhold forgiveness since I believe that God will not withhold forgiveness for my inadequacies.

"However, for me, the personal aspect can be handled by me but the party aspect has to be handled at the local, state and national levels of the Party.

"I wish you all the best and God's blessing."

Signed

Olusegun Obasanjo.

Obasanjo's associate told Saturday Tribune that "One wonders why the same Fayose who wrote that letter is now against the president settling his differences with Obasanjo given the background that he (Fayose) wrote that letter of apology barely two years ago."

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