Ademola Adeleke, governor of Osun, has unveiled a N500 million endowment fund for victims of election violence across the state.
The governor announced the endowment fund on Thursday when he received his certificate of return at the office of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), following his victory in the August 15 governorship election in the state.
Adeleke, who contested on the platform of Accord, defeated Bola Oyebamiji, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate; Najeem Salaam, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) flagbearer; and 13 other candidates in the keenly contested election.
The governor polled 511,067 votes to defeat Oyebamiji, who secured 444,815 votes, while Salaam of the ADC garnered 17,180 votes.
Adeleke won 19 of the 30 LGAs in Osun, while Oyebamiji won the remaining 11.
While receiving his certificate of return, Adeleke condoled with the families of those who lost their lives during the pre-election violence that rocked the state.
The governor said the children of the 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.
“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.”
The governor identified some of the electoral violence victims as Ezekiel Olapade, Aderogba Ajayi, Remi Abass and Kolade Eluyera, saying the Adeleke family would provide the scholarships through its Springtime Development Foundation.
‘NO ELIGIBLE VICTIM WILL BE EXCLUDED’
Adeleke also said the 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 equitable distribution of support.
“The Osun State Government will also establish a N500 million Election Violence Victims Endowment Fund to support verified victims and affected families,” he said in a post on his X page.
The governor, however, emphasised that the endowment fund is not a political intervention but a humanitarian responsibility.
“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 added that he received the certificate of return not as a trophy or a weapon against anyone, but as a renewed contract with the people.
“The election is over. The campaign is over. The contest is over. Now is the time to govern, unite, heal and build,” he said.
“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.”
