Former governor Adebayo died, Tinubu cries –

Cornelius Adebayo: President Tinubu thinks tribute to a real statesman

I received the news of the disappearance of the chief Cornelius Olaunji Adebayo, former academic and former governor of the state of Kwara, with profound sadness.

During his extraordinary 84 -year -old life, which was marked by an adamant commitment for public service and progressive policy, CO, as the political shareholders affected him, was a loud voice and a main light in the political firmament of Nigeria.

As a senator in the second republic, the head of the Unity party of Nigeria, led by the deceased sage, the head of Obafhemi Awolowo, held up.

In the general elections of 1983, his pedigree as a progressive politician shone brilliantly when he caused an electoral disturbance to overcome the elections of the Governorate in the old state of Kwara as a second elected civil governor.

During the dark days of the military dictatorship that followed the cancellation of the presidential elections of 12 June 1993 won by the deceased chief Mko Abiola, the head of Adebayo was one of our leaders who put aside every comfort and remained firmly in defense of democracy and the ideals of justice, fairness and equity.

He spent several years in exile in Canada, a period that has tested his resilience and commitment to his beliefs. Later, he returned to the country to join the politics of the 4th Republic.
I worked closely with him during our years in exile. He has shown rare courage, integrity and perseverance in these difficult times.

Inside the Pan-Yoruba group, Afenifera, it was a voice of reason and a stabilizing flu.

Chief Adebayo, who was later communications and transport minister between 2003 and 2007, will be remembered for his patriotism and the commitment to the progress of the State of Kwara and the Yoruba breed.

May the immediate family left behind, its political collaborators, the government and the people of the State of Kwara find consolation in its inheritance of impeccable service.

*Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR
President, Federal Republic of Nigeria
June 25, 2025