How Adebayo chose exile over serving Abacha — Adeyeye

Senator Adedayo Adeyeye, National Coordinator of SWAGA ’23 and Chairman of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), has paid tribute to the late elder statesman, Chief Cornelius Adebayo, highlighting his sacrifices for democracy, including detention for rejecting an appointment from the late military dictator, General Sani Abacha.

Adeyeye revealed that Adebayo was detained for 18 days in Calabar without his family’s knowledge after refusing to serve as a minister under Abacha’s regime. He said the late Adebayo’s decision was a courageous stand for democracy at a time when many were afraid to oppose the military government.

“Chief Adebayo suffered immensely for his principles. After his release, he was forced into exile in Togo, then Ivory Coast, and later Canada when Abacha’s strike force pursued him,” Adeyeye recounted.

He described the late Adebayo as a bridge builder who championed unity among the Yoruba and their counterparts in the Middle Belt, particularly in Kwara and Kogi States, promoting peace and understanding across regions.

Adebayo was a notable figure in the pro-democracy group NADECO, working alongside prominent leaders like the late Pa Abraham Adesanya, General Alani Akinrinade, Professor Bolaji Akinyemi, and others in the fight against military dictatorship.

His career spanned academia, politics, and public service. Adebayo was a former commissioner in Kwara State, a senator during Nigeria’s Second Republic, and governor of Kwara State in 1983 before the military coup ended civilian rule.

He later served as Minister of Communications and Minister of Transport between 2003 and 2007, leaving behind a legacy of integrity, service, and mentorship to younger politicians, including Adeyeye himself.

“Chief Adebayo’s death is a huge loss to the Yoruba nation, the people of Kwara and Kogi, and Nigeria as a whole. His intellectual depth, organisational skills, and principled leadership will be deeply missed,” Adeyeye concluded.