Following the death of the former governor of Kwara State and former Minister of Communications, Cornelius Adebayo, he has been hailed for his high administrative acumen.

Oluwasegun Adebayo, the eldest son of the elder statesman, on Wednesday, announced the “profound sadness” over the passing of the deceased at the age of 84.

Reacting to his death, the Emir of Ilorin, Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, expressed deep sorrow over his passing.

In a statement by his Press Secretary, Dr Abdulazeez Arowona, described Adebayo as “an administrator par excellence.”

He extended condolences to Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, the people of Kwara, Adebayo’s family, and political associates.

The Emir prayed for the repose of the late leader’s soul and strength for the bereaved family.

The deceased was born in Igbaja in the Ifelodun Local Government Area to parents from Oke-Onigbin in Isin Local Government Area of Kwara State.

A former Commissioner for Education in Kwara between 1975 and 1978, he was elected senator in 1979 under the opposition Unity Party of Nigeria upon Nigeria’s return to civil rule under the Second Republic

In 1983, he became the second elected governor of the state when he beat incumbent governor Adamu Attah of the National Party of Nigeria in a closely fought election. However, he held the office for only three months before the Muhammadu Buhari-led military coup truncated the Second Republic on the last day of that year.

After General Ibrahim Babangida’s transition to civil rule programme ended in a fiasco in 1993, Mr Adebayo joined the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) to fight for the de-annulment of the 12 June 1993 presidential election won by Moshood Abiola.

He was arrested alongside some other members of the group in 1995 after a bomb blast in Ilorin.

The following year, he fled to Canada and went into exile.
Mr Adebayo was appointed Minister of Communications and Transportation by President Olusegun Obasanjo and served from 2003 to 2006.

In 1983, he became the second elected governor of the state when he beat incumbent governor Adamu Attah of the National Party of Nigeria in a closely fought election. However, he held the office for only three months before the Muhammadu Buhari-led military coup truncated the Second Republic on the last day of that year.

After General Ibrahim Babangida’s transition to civil rule programme ended in a fiasco in 1993, Mr Adebayo joined the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) to fight for the de-annulment of the 12 June 1993 presidential election won by Moshood Abiola.

He was arrested alongside some other members of the group in 1995 after a bomb blast in Ilorin. The following year, he fled to Canada and went into exile.

Mr Adebayo was appointed Minister of Communications and Transportation by President Olusegun Obasanjo and served from 2003 to 2006.