Elder statesman and Chairman of the Committee for the Creation of Ekiti State, Chief Deji Fasuan, has described the late ex-Military Governor of the defunct Western State, Gen. Adeyinka Adebayo, as a man of peace who worked to avert the country’s break-up.

Fasuan, a retired permanent secretary, said Gen. Adebayo assumed office at a difficult period, restored peace and brought development to the hinterland.

He delivered a tribute he read on behalf of the committee at the weekend, at the funeral of Adebayo in Iyin-Ekiti, Irepodun/Ifelodun Local Government of Ekiti State.

The elder statesman hailed the contributions of the deceased to the creation of Ekiti State.

He said 20 prominent individuals, including nine monarchs and 11 committee members, who participated in the struggle for the creation of the state had died, with Adebayo being the latest Fasuan said: “Gen. Adebayo gave all the backing, all the financial and moral assistance we needed to prosecute our project.

“We had five other state agitators to contend with, namely Ijebu State, Oduduwa State, Oke Ogun State, Ibadan State and Coastal State. By the grace of God, we won the only slot for the western zone and the result is what we have today.

“Since the state was created in 1996, our Oga (Adebayo) played a role wider than that of Ekiti political scene. He led Yoruba groups and canvassed the unity of the Yoruba nation. We are proud of him.”