Osun's New Governor: Adeleke Officially Certified After Election Win!

Following the conclusion of the Osun governorship electoral process, Governor Ademola Adeleke was officially presented with the Governorship Certificate of Return by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Wednesday. The presentation was made by Professor Kunle Ajayi, a National Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), who represents the South-West region and currently supervises electoral activities across Ogun, Ondo, and Osun States.

In his response, Governor Adeleke announced his administration’s comprehensive plan to establish a ₦500 million Election Violence Victims Endowment Fund. This fund is specifically designed to support the families of verified victims of election violence within Osun State. To ensure a transparent and equitable process, a dedicated Verification and Relief Committee will be inaugurated, with the Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adewale Olumide Egbedun, appointed to head it. This committee will be responsible for overseeing the precise identification of victims and the fair distribution of the allocated support.

Governor Adeleke clarified that this initiative is fundamentally a humanitarian responsibility, rather than a political intervention. He emphasized that no eligible victim would be excluded from receiving support due to their political affiliation, religion, ethnicity, gender, or social status, stating, “In grief, there is no political party. In our common humanity, we are one people.” Furthermore, the Adeleke family, through its Springtime Development Foundation, committed to providing full scholarships, extending up to university level, for the children and dependants of those who tragically lost their lives during the election-related violence.

Concluding his remarks, Governor Adeleke expressed his deep appreciation to the people of Osun State for their crucial roles in ensuring the success of the election. He declared that the electoral campaign and contest were now over, marking a transition to a period focused on governance, unity, healing, and building the state. He extended gratitude to all citizens, both those who voted for him and those who supported other candidates, acknowledging their participation in the democratic process and reiterating his commitment to serving as Governor to all, urging everyone to collectively prioritize Osun State above political differences.