…Family offers full scholarships to children of deceased victims
Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, has dedicated his victory in the August 15 governorship election to the people of the state, declaring that the election is over and it is now time to heal, unite and rebuild Osun.
Adeleke stated this on Wednesday after receiving his Certificate of Return from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Osogbo, following his re-election for a second term. Reports from the ceremony confirmed that the governor used the occasion not only to celebrate his victory but also to announce fresh interventions for families affected by electoral violence.
The governor announced the establishment of a ₦500 million Election Violence Victims Endowment Fund by the Osun State Government to support verified victims of election-related violence and affected families.
He also disclosed that his family, through the Springtime Development Foundation, would provide full scholarships up to university level for the children and dependants of persons who lost their lives during the violence.
Adeleke said the interventions were humanitarian measures and would be implemented without consideration of political affiliation, religion, ethnicity, gender or social status.
“This is not a political intervention. It is a humanitarian responsibility. No eligible victim will be excluded because of political affiliation, religion, ethnicity, gender or social status,” he said.
The governor expressed sadness over the loss of lives, destruction of property and disruption of livelihoods recorded during the election period, saying no political ambition was worth the life of any citizen.
He specifically remembered Ezekiel Olapade, Aderogba Ajayi, Remi Abass, Kolade Eluyera and other victims of electoral violence, describing them as brothers, sisters and fellow citizens regardless of their political affiliations.
The announcement follows Adeleke’s pre-election call for an independent investigation into reported killings and other acts of violence associated with the electoral process. Before the election, the governor had said such incidents should be investigated irrespective of the political affiliation or status of those involved.
To ensure transparency in the new intervention, Adeleke said a Verification and Relief Committee, chaired by the Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adewale Olumide Egbedun, would oversee the identification of victims and distribution of assistance.
The governor also called on residents to put the political contest behind them and work together for the development of the state.
According to him, the Certificate of Return should not be regarded as a trophy or weapon against political opponents but as a renewed mandate to serve the people.
“The election is over. The campaign is over. The contest is over. Now is the time to govern, unite, heal and build,” Adeleke said.
He assured residents who did not vote for him that he remained governor for all citizens, irrespective of their political choices during the election.
“To those who voted for me, I thank you. To those who voted for another candidate, I thank you for participating in our democracy. I remain Governor to all, and together we must place Osun State above politics,” he stated.
Adeleke further promised to sustain his administration’s focus on infrastructure, healthcare, education, workers’ welfare, youth empowerment and economic development, with emphasis on accountability, inclusion and transparency.
The governor’s re-election came after a closely watched contest in which he secured victory over his major challenger, the All Progressives Congress candidate, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji. Following the declaration, Oyebamiji called for calm and said he supported his party’s decision to review the outcome of the election.
Receiving his Certificate of Return, however, Adeleke said his focus had shifted from electioneering to governance.
“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,” he said.
He added: “Today, we are grateful for victory, but sober in remembrance. Tomorrow, we return to work.”
The statement was signed by Representative Bamidele Salam, Chairman, Media and Publicity Committee of the Imole Campaign Council.
