Ex-ekiti governor Ayo Fayose has confirmed that former president Olusegun Obasanjo returned the $20,000 he allegedly received for attending Fayose s 65th birthday. The return follows Obasanjo’s earlier statement that the money would be sent back, noting that he had not even opened it.

Fayose explained in an interview with af24 news that two weeks before his birthday, he reached out to several people he had political disagreements with. he stressed, however, that his call to Obasanjo was not an apology. According to fayose, Obasanjo welcomed him at his home days before the celebration and assured him he would attend despite another engagement in rwanda.

At Obasanjo’s request, Fayose said he prepared funds to cover the former president’s travel logistics. “I changed $20,000 and gave it to him, allegedly at Obasanjo’s request. How can someone accept money and then act spitefully?” he asked.

Confirming the return of the funds after sending a stern message to Obasanjo, Fayose said, “I have written to him, and he has returned my $20,000.” when asked how he felt about the repayment, he added, “i am very happy. I will not allow such a person to keep my money.”