By Ismail Azeez
Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke has announced a five hundred million fund and scholarship for victims and families of victims of election violence in the state.
The Governor made this known when he received his Certificate of Return from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) yesterday.
Adeleke, who contested the election on the platform of the Accord Party, defeated his closest challenger, Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji of the All Progressives Congress (APC), by 66,252 votes, polling 511,067 votes against Oyebamiji’s 444,815 votes, while the candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Najeem Salaam, finished third with 17,180 votes.
The National Commissioner representing the South-West and supervising electoral activities in Ogun, Ondo and Osun states, Professor Kunle Ajayi, presented the Certificate of Return to Governor Ademola Adeleke at the Commission’s Osun State office on Wednesday.
Speaking, the Governor said the certificate did not belong to him alone but represented the renewed mandate given to him by the people of the state.
He further announced that the Osun State Government would establish a N500 million Election Violence Victims Endowment Fund to support verified victims and affected families.
“Today is not merely about the presentation of a Certificate of Return. It is a moment of gratitude, reflection and appreciation to the people of Osun State who stood firm for democracy.”
“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.”
“We remember Ezekiel Olapade, Aderogba Ajayi, Remi Abass, Kolade Eluyera, and every other victim of electoral violence. 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 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.”
“The Osun State Government will also establish a N500 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 transparent identification of victims and equitable distribution of support.”
“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. In grief, there is no political party. In our common humanity, we are one people.”
“My dear people of Osun State, I receive this Certificate of Return not as a trophy or a weapon against anyone, but as a renewed contract with you.”
“The election is over. The campaign is over. The contest is over. Now is the time to govern, unite, heal and build.”
“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.”
“We shall continue to advance infrastructure, healthcare, education, workers’ welfare, youth empowerment and economic development, with 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. Today, we are grateful for victory, but sober in remembrance. Tomorrow, we return to work.”
“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,” the Governor said.