Saraki: Cornelius Adebayo fought for democracy all of us enjoy today

Former Senate President Bukola Saraki says the late Cornelius Adebayo, ex-governor of Kwara, fought for the democracy that Nigerians are enjoying today.

Saraki spoke in Abuja on Tuesday during a night of tribute and service of songs for the late Adebayo.

Adebayo, who was also a former senator and minister, died on June 25 in Abuja, at 84.

“He sacrificed his soul for the democracy that all of us enjoying. I can see many products of the democracy,” Saraki said, gesturing to the dignitaries present, some of whom included Ibrahim Gambari, former chief of staff (COS) to the late former President Muhammadu Buhari.

Adebayo was a member of the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) as pro-democracy activists sought to reclaim the mandate handed to MKO Abiola in the June 12, 1993, presidential election.

Saraki also recalled a conversation with his late father after winning the governorship election in Kwara.

“This election was sweet, but the sweeter one was when C.O. Adebayo became governor,” he quoted his father as having said.

Adebayo lost his position months later when the military led by Buhari overthrew the civilian government under the leadership of the late Shehu Shagari.

Saraki described Adebayo as a great nationalist, noting that even while he served as governor of Kwara, he still accepted guidance from the former politician.

Adebayo was governor of Kwara in 1983, while Saraki governed the state from 2003 to 2011.

“I remember he took it out of his way when it was necessary to put a phone call through, and when I heard C.O. Adebayo was on the line, I knew there was something serious to talk about,” he said.

Saraki described him as a man of “integrity and courage”, saying, “as a governor, he never hesitated to tell me where he felt something had to be done… and we lack that today in our society, and we can see where that leads us”.

The former senate president acknowledged that he and Adebayo stood at different political fronts but noted that it did not hinder him from paying his final respects.