Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has announced a N500 million endowment fund to support victims of election violence and their affected families across the state.
Adeleke announced the initiative on Thursday while receiving his certificate of return at the office of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) following his victory in the August 15 governorship election.
The governor, who contested on the platform of Accord, defeated Bola Oyebamiji of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Najeem Salaam of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and 13 other candidates in the keenly contested election.
Adeleke polled 511,067 votes, while Oyebamiji secured 444,815 votes and Salaam garnered 17,180 votes.
The governor won 19 of the 30 LGAs in Osun, while Oyebamiji won the remaining 11.
While receiving his certificate, Adeleke expressed condolences to the families of those who lost their lives during the pre-election violence that affected parts of the state.
He also announced that children of victims would be offered scholarships at Adeleke High School and Adeleke University in Ede.
“This certificate does not belong to Ademola Adeleke alone. It belongs to the people of Osun state: our workers, market men and women, youths, traditional and religious leaders, and every citizen who participated in this democratic process. I am deeply humbled by the confidence you have renewed in me,”
Adeleke said.
The governor, however, said the electoral victory should be accompanied by sober reflection on the human cost of the political contest.
“But even in victory, we must be sober in reflection. Citizens were injured, properties and livelihoods were destroyed and, most painfully, precious lives were lost.
“It is deeply painful that any family should have to bury a loved one because of politics. No election, political office or ambition is worth the life of a single citizen.”
Adeleke identified some of the victims of the electoral violence as Ezekiel Olapade, Aderogba Ajayi, Remi Abass and Kolade Eluyera.
He said the Adeleke family would provide scholarships to the children of the victims through its Springtime Development Foundation.
Adeleke said a verification and relief committee, to be chaired by Adewale Egbedun, Speaker of the State House of Assembly, would oversee the transparent identification of victims and ensure equitable distribution of assistance.
“The Osun State Government will also establish a N500 million Election Violence Victims Endowment Fund to support verified victims and affected families,”
the governor said in a post on his X page.
He stressed that the fund was not a political intervention but a humanitarian responsibility, promising that eligible victims would be treated equally regardless of their political or social affiliations.
“No eligible victim will be excluded because of political affiliation, religion, ethnicity, gender or social status,”
he said.
“In grief, there is no political party. In our common humanity, we are one people.”
Adeleke said his certificate of return should not be viewed as a trophy or weapon against political opponents but as a renewed mandate and contract with the people of Osun.
“The election is over. The campaign is over. The contest is over. Now is the time to govern, unite, heal and build,”
he said.
The governor added:
“You have given me another opportunity to serve, and I accept this responsibility with humility. I will work harder. I will listen more. I will do more.”
