Adeleke Pledges Support for Victims of Electoral Violence

…announces ₦500m fund for victims of election violence

Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, has pledged support for victims of electoral violence and called on residents to put the election behind them and focus on healing, unity and development.

Adeleke made the call in his remarks at the presentation of his Certificate of Return, where he described the occasion as a moment of gratitude and reflection.

The governor said the certificate belonged not to him alone but to the people of Osun State, including workers, traders, youths, traditional and religious leaders and other citizens who participated in the democratic process.

“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. 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,” he said

Reflecting on the violence recorded during the election, Adeleke said citizens were injured, properties and livelihoods were destroyed, while lives were lost.

He 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.

According to him, the Adeleke family, through the Springtime Development Foundation, will provide full scholarships up to university level for the children and dependants of those who lost their lives.

He also announced that the Osun State Government would establish a ₦500 million Election Violence Victims Endowment Fund to support verified victims and affected families.

A Verification and Relief Committee, chaired by the Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adewale Olumide Egbedun, will oversee the identification of victims and distribution of support.

Adeleke said the intervention would be humanitarian and that no eligible victim would be excluded on the basis of political affiliation, religion, ethnicity, gender or social status.

“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 pledged to remain governor for all residents, including those who did not vote for him, and promised to continue work in infrastructure, healthcare, education, workers’ welfare, youth empowerment and economic development.

“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,” Adeleke said.

He urged residents to place Osun State above politics, while expressing sympathy to families who lost loved ones and praying for the recovery of those injured.