Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has received the Certificate of Return from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) following his victory in the August 15 governorship election.
The certificate was presented to him at a brief ceremony at the INEC headquarters in Osogbo by the Resident Electoral Commissioner for the South-West Zone, Prof. Kunle Ajayi.
While thanking the people for renewing his mandate, Adeleke dedicated the victory to the electorate who stood by him throughout the electoral process.
N500m Endowment Fund
The governor announced the establishment of a N500 million Election Violence Victims Endowment Fund to support verified victims and families affected by violence in the period leading to the election.
While paying tribute to victims of electoral violence, Adeleke called for sober reflection on the violence recorded during the election, which he said resulted in injuries, destruction of property and loss of lives.
“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. 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.
“Regardless of political affiliation, they were first our brothers, sisters and fellow citizens. To their families, your pain is our pain, and your loved ones will never be reduced to mere statistics.”
The governor, who said the intervention would be humanitarian rather than political, said a Verification and Relief Committee, chaired by the Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Adewale Egbedun, would oversee the identification of verified victims and distribution of relief.
He assured residents that no eligible victim would be excluded on the basis of political affiliation, religion, ethnicity, gender or social status.
“In grief, there is no political party. In our common humanity, we are one people,” he said.
Scholarships for Children of Victims
The governor said the Adeleke family, through the Springtime Development Foundation, would provide full scholarships up to the university level for children and dependants of those who lost their lives in the electoral violence.
He urged residents to put the election behind them and unite for the development of the state.
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“The election is over. The campaign is over. The contest is over. Now is the time to govern, unite, heal and build.”
The governor pledged his administration’s continued focus on infrastructure, healthcare, education, workers’ welfare, youth empowerment and economic development, with emphasis on accountability, inclusion and transparency.
