Adeleke Announces N500Million Fund, Scholarships For Children Of Osun Election Violence Victims

Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has announced a ₦500 million Election Violence Victims Endowment Fund to support victims and families affected by electoral violence in the recently concluded governorship election in the state.

Adeleke made the announcement on Wednesday while speaking at the presentation of his Certificate of Return, where he called on the people of Osun State to move beyond political divisions and focus on healing, unity and development.

The governor said the certificate was not a personal trophy but a renewed mandate from the people of the state.

“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,” Adeleke said.

He expressed gratitude to residents for renewing their confidence in his leadership, but acknowledged the violence and deaths recorded during the electoral process.

“Citizens were injured, properties and livelihoods were destroyed and, most painfully, precious lives were lost,” he said.

“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.”

Adeleke specifically remembered Ezekiel Olapade, Aderogba Ajayi, Remi Abass, Kolade Eluyera and other victims of electoral violence, saying their political affiliations should not diminish the value of their lives.

“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,” he said.

The governor also announced that the Adeleke family, through the Springtime Development Foundation, would provide full scholarships up to university level for the children and dependants of those who lost their lives during the violence.

According to him, the ₦500 million Election Violence Victims Endowment Fund will be established by the Osun State Government 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 the relief.

Adeleke stressed that the intervention would be humanitarian rather than political, promising that eligible victims would not be discriminated against on the basis 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.

“In grief, there is no political party. In our common humanity, we are one people.”

The governor urged residents to put the election behind them and work together to rebuild the state.

“The election is over. The campaign is over. The contest is over. Now is the time to govern, unite, heal and build,” he said.

Adeleke thanked those who voted for him and those who supported other candidates, assuring residents that he remained governor for everyone regardless of their political choices.

“I remain Governor to all, and together we must place Osun State above politics,” he said.

He promised that his administration would continue to focus on infrastructure, healthcare, education, workers’ welfare, youth empowerment and economic development, while prioritising accountability, inclusion and transparency.

“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.

“Today, we are grateful for victory, but sober in remembrance. Tomorrow, we return to work.”

The governor called for comfort and healing for families affected by the violence, saying, “May God comfort every family that has suffered loss, heal the injured, bless our people, and continue to bless the State of the Living Spring.”