Ace broadcaster, Kikelomo Atanda-Owo, the wife of veteran journalist cum ARISE Television’s anchor, Reuben Abati, has expressed displeasure over the remarks of former Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, over the birthday message of former President, Olusegun Obasanjo, to him.
Naijaonpoint recalls that Fayose had on Monday slammed Obasanjo over the remarks at his 65th birthday celebrations in Lagos, describing the comments as irresponsible and the 89-year-old ex-president belongs in the zoo.
However, speaking on the ‘Real Talk With Kike’ show, Abati’s wife questioned why Fayose, being aware of his strained relationship with Obasanjo, would engineer a reunion when they were not emotionally or psychologically prepared for it.
He noted that while the long-standing rift between Fayose and Obasanjo is widely known, the former governor’s 65th birthday should not have been turned into a fresh political battlefield.
According to her, such milestone celebrations are meant for love, reflection, gratitude, and appreciation, not for political tension or ego-driven posturing.
Kikelomo further stressed that instead of attempting to revive a long-dead political friendship for the cameras, Fayose should have focused on healing closer-to-home wounds.
She said, “A 65th birthday is not the platform for forced reconciliation between political foes, especially when both parties have shown time and again that their relationship is fractured beyond a casual handshake.”
Abati’s wife also called Obasanjo to show restraint, stressing that, “Chief Obasanjo is older and should have set the tone for maturity. When elders act without tact, it sends the wrong message to the younger generation.”
Abati added that both men missed an opportunity for grace.
She noted, “Fayose should have prioritised humility and family reconciliation on his special day, while Obasanjo, given his age and national stature, should have handled the situation with more emotional intelligence.”
Kikelomo also highlighted the absence of Fayose’s mother and siblings, who reportedly stayed away due to internal family disputes, a rift she believes deserved more attention than any political spectacle.
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