Osun Election: Adeleke Announces N500m Relief Fund for Victims
Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has announced the establishment of a N500 million Election Violence Victims Endowment Fund to assist people affected by violence during the August 15 governorship election.
Adeleke made the announcement on Wednesday after receiving his Certificate of Return from the Independent National Electoral Commission at the commission’s headquarters in Osogbo.
The certificate was presented to the governor by the Resident Electoral Commissioner for Osun State, Professor Kunle Ajani.
While expressing appreciation to residents for renewing his mandate, Adeleke said the victory belonged to the people of the state and not to him alone.
He, however, called for reflection on the violence that accompanied the election, noting that several people were injured, properties destroyed and lives lost.
The governor specifically commiserated with families of those who died, including Ezekiel Olapade, Aderogba Ajayi, Remi Abass and Kolade Eluyera.
Adeleke said the newly announced fund would provide support to verified victims and families affected by the violence, irrespective of their political affiliation or background.
He disclosed that a Verification and Relief Committee, to be chaired by the Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adewale Olumide Egbedun, would identify genuine beneficiaries and supervise the distribution of relief.
According to him, the intervention would be humanitarian and would not be influenced by political considerations.
“No eligible victim will be excluded because of political affiliation, religion, ethnicity, gender or social status,” the governor said.
He added that the government would ensure that victims and their families were not forgotten after the election.
At a separate reception organised by state workers to welcome him after his re-election, Adeleke also announced a scholarship programme for children and dependants of people who lost their lives during the electoral violence.
He said the Adeleke family, through the Springtime Development Foundation, would provide full scholarships for the affected children up to university level.
The governor subsequently appealed to political actors and residents to move beyond the election and focus on rebuilding the state.
“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 that his administration would sustain its focus on infrastructure, healthcare, education, workers’ welfare, youth empowerment and economic development.
Adeleke also pledged that accountability, transparency and inclusiveness would remain central to his administration as he begins his second term.
