••• Says Decision Taken in Solidarity with Kidnapped and Murdered Victims
The family of the late former Governor of Kwara State, Chief Cornelius Olatunji Adebayo, and the Committee for the Annual Oke Onigbin Get-Together have announced the postponement of their event originally scheduled for the first week of January 2026.
The postponement according to a statement made available to 9japarrot media is attributed to two significant factors which are the recent emotional weight of the burial of their late revered Patriarch and Leader, and more urgently, the persistent security challenges currently plaguing various parts of Kwara State.
The statement, released with a strong sense of empathy, cited the tragic and painful losses, including the killing and abduction of notable citizens in Kwara South and Kwara North such as respected traditional rulers, farmers, and other innocent compatriots.
The statement reads;
With a strong sense of empathy and responsibility, the Cornelius Adebayo family and the Committee on the Annual Oke Onigbin Get-Together announce the postponement of the event scheduled for the first week of January 2026.
This decision, though deeply regrettable, has become unavoidable due to recent developments of significant emotional and security concern to our people. Foremost among these is the burial ceremony of our revered Leader and Mentor, Chief Cornelius Olatunji Adebayo, held in October 2025, which brought together Nigerians from across the country and beyond to honour his remarkable legacy. Additionally, and of more urgent concern, are the persistent security challenges confronting several parts of Kwara State.
These challenges have resulted in tragic and painful losses, including the killing and abduction of notable citizens in Kwara South and Kwara North such as respected traditional rulers, farmers, and other innocent compatriots. The gravity of these incidents has cast a sombre mood across the state and calls for collective sensitivity and restraint.
In consideration of these painful realities, and in solidarity with families who continue to hope and pray for the safe return of their loved ones, we believe this is a most appropriate time to pause, reflect, review our collective priorities, and reset our engagements. This period demands sober reflection, compassion for affected families, and respect for the prevailing mood of our communities.
We stand in prayer with the families of those who have been killed or abducted and earnestly pray for the safe and speedy return of all individuals still being held in captivity. Furthermore, we reaffirm our unwavering support for the people of the affected communities as they continue their lawful pursuits amidst these trying circumstances.
In this regard, we call on all Kwarans to remain resolute and united in their support for the Federal Government, the Kwara State Government, and our gallant security agencies as they intensify efforts to restore lasting peace, safety, and tranquillity across the state. We hereby reaffirm our unwavering support for the administration of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, particularly in recognition of its notable achievements in agriculture, infrastructure, the economy, and technology, as well as its ongoing efforts to curb insecurity nationwide.
As progressives, we recognize our enduring responsibility to uphold, defend, and promote the ideals and values of progressivism as championed by the late Sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, and exemplified by our departed Leader, Chief Cornelius Olatunji Adebayo. These principles remain our guiding compass, particularly during moments of national and communal challenge.
It is our sincere prayer that peace will return swiftly to all troubled communities. We are hopeful that by Easter, conditions will be conducive for the progressive family to reconvene and engage meaningfully once again, especially given the importance of the current political season to, and continued support of all concerned.
