Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke on Wednesday received his certificate of return from the Independent National Electoral Commission and announced plans to establish a N500m election violence victims endowment fund.
The certificate was presented to him by the Independent National Electoral Commission National Commissioner representing the South-West, Prof Kunle Ajayi, at an event attended by political associates of the governor and members of his cabinet.
The PUNCH reports that Adeleke was declared winner of the governorship election by the State Returning Officer of INEC, Prof Joshua Ogunwole, on Sunday.
Adeleke polled 511,067 votes to defeat the All Progressives Congress candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, who scored 444,815 votes.
Speaking during the ceremony, Adeleke lauded the roles played by different segments of the state in his victory at the poll.
He said, “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.”
Speaking on those injured and killed in the build-up to the election, the governor said a verification and relief committee, to be chaired by the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Adewale Egbedun, would administer the fund and oversee the transparent identification of victims and equitable distribution of support.
“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 governor added.
He said his 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.
“The Osun State Government will also establish a N500m 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,” he said.
Gunshots at Ataoja palace
Meanwhile, gunshots rang out near the palace of the Ataoja of Osogbo for about 15 minutes on Wednesday following an attack on the governor’s convoy during a visit to the monarch.
The nephew of the governor and Afrobeats star, David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, however, said the incident had nothing to do with him or his uncle.
The incident occurred between 3:50 pm and 4:10 pm, shortly after Adeleke had left the hall where the Ataoja hosted him.
