Adebayo Adefarati

Life and career

Adebayo Adefarati was appointed twice as commissioner under Yoruba and Afenifere Leader Pa. Michael Adekunle Ajasin. Adefarati was at some point the State Commissioner for Works and Transport (between 1979–1983). Adefarati was also a prominent member of the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), a leading organization in the fight against the military during the rule of Sani Abacha.

Political intrigues and high wire politics which culminated in his alienation from many of his erstwhile comrades, major backers and the leading lights of his administration namely Olusegun Mimiko, Chief Rufus Giwa, Akerele Adu, Olu Agunloye, Chief Yele Omogunwa, Senator Nimbe Farunkanmi, Awolowo Ajaka, ‘Tayo Dairo, Chief Niyi Omodara, Olatunji Ariyo, Chief Jise Akinmurele, Chief Bamidele Awosika, Col. Akin Falaye (Rtd.) amongst others worked to end his second term bid and enhanced the likelihood of victory of Olusegun Agagu at the polls in April 2003. These people claimed disillusionment with his administration while some claimed lack of transparency in the selection process adopted by the Alliance for Democracy in the selection of its gubernatorial candidate at that election.

The relationship of Chief Adebayo Adefarati with Pa. Ruben Fasoranti and Chief Olu Falae was just being repaired during the election thereby making the impacts of the duo of little consequence in his favour during the Nigerian general elections of 2003. Many of the aforementioned were to later regret their actions as history again repeated itself when Olusegun Agagu was himself removed from office by a coalition that included many of the previous players and was replaced by Olusegun Mimiko thus finally vindicating Chief Adebayo Adefarati.

Adefarati was Governor of Ondo State from 1999 to 2003 before he was defeated when he ran for re-election in 2003. He was however not cowed as he later was a presidential candidate for the Alliance for Democracy party in the April 2007 presidential election, but died in Owo, Ondo State at the age of 76 of an undisclosed ailment a few weeks before the election. He had not been considered a major candidate, but his death raised the possibility that the election would be delayed. A spokesman for the Independent National Electoral Commission said that this would not happen, and that the party could name a replacement candidate.

Personal life

Adebayo Adefarati was a native of Akungba Akoko and was married to Adetutu Adefarati. As an Oloye of the Yoruba people, he held the traditional titles of the Otunba Elekole of Ikole and the Bobajiro of Osu-Ilesa.