Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has asked Nigerians not to take the Ekiti State governor, Ayo Fayose, serious over his current verbal attacks on him even as he released a letter Fayose wrote to him about two years ago, begging him over previous insults, adding that he will soon come seeking for forgiveness again.
Governor Fayose had last week in Ile Ife, Osun State, lambasted Obasanjo over what he what called 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: “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.”
However, a letter to Obasanjo by governor Fayose, dated 26th June, 2012, was made available to newsmen recently.
The letter read:
“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. [myad]
