Adeleke Receives Certificate of Return, Pledges ₦500m Fund For Election Violence Victims
Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has received his Certificate of Return from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) after winning the August 15 governorship election.
Adeleke received the certificate on Wednesday at a ceremony held at the INEC headquarters in Osogbo. The Resident Electoral Commissioner for Osun State, Professor Kunle Ajani, presented the certificate to the governor.
The governor thanked Osun residents for renewing his mandate and dedicated his victory to those who supported him during the electoral process.
Adeleke Announces ₦500m Fund For Election Violence Victims
Adeleke also announced plans to establish a ₦500 million Election Violence Victims Endowment Fund for verified victims and families affected by violence during the election.
He said the decision was necessary because the election resulted in injuries, property destruction and loss of lives.
Adeleke paid tribute to victims of the violence, including Ezekiel Olapade, Aderogba Ajayi, Remi Abass and Kolade Eluyera.
He said the victims should not be reduced to statistics and expressed sympathy to their families.
The governor said a Verification and Relief Committee, chaired by the Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Adewale Olumide Egbedun, would identify verified victims and oversee the distribution of relief.
According to Adeleke, the intervention will be humanitarian rather than political. He said eligible victims will not be excluded based on political affiliation, religion, ethnicity, gender or social status.
Adeleke Family Offers Scholarships
At a separate reception organised by workers to celebrate his victory, Adeleke announced another support programme for families affected by the violence.
He said the Adeleke family, through the Springtime Development Foundation, would provide full scholarships up to university level for children and dependants of people who lost their lives during the electoral violence.
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The governor also urged residents to move beyond the election and unite for the development of Osun State.
He said his administration would continue to focus on infrastructure, healthcare, education, workers’ welfare, youth empowerment and economic development.
Adeleke added that accountability, inclusion and transparency would remain key priorities of his administration as he begins his second term.
Adeleke Calls For Unity After Osun Election
The governor called on political opponents and residents to put the election behind them and work together for the state.
He said the end of the election should mark the beginning of efforts to heal divisions and address the needs of residents.
Adeleke later received a welcome from workers who gathered to celebrate his return for a second term.
