Osun poll: Adeleke gets certificate, unveils N500m victims’ fund

 Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has received his Certificate of Return from the Independent National Electoral Commission following his victory in the state governorship election.

The certificate was presented to Adeleke by INEC National Commissioner for the South-West, Professor Kunle Ajayi, during a ceremony in Osogbo on Wednesday.

Adeleke was declared the winner of the governorship election after securing 511,067 votes, defeating the All Progressives Congress candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, who polled 444,815 votes.

Speaking after receiving the certificate, Adeleke described the victory as a renewed expression of confidence from the people of Osun State. He thanked workers, youths, traditional and religious leaders, market men and women, and other residents who participated in the electoral process.

N500m Fund for Election Violence Victims

The governor also announced plans to establish a N500 million Election Violence Victims Endowment Fund to support people injured and families affected by violence connected to the election.

Adeleke said the fund would focus on verified victims and affected families, describing the initiative as a humanitarian responsibility rather than a political intervention.

A verification and relief committee, to be chaired by the Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Adewale Egbedun, will oversee the identification of victims and the distribution of assistance.

The governor said eligible victims would not be excluded because of political affiliation, religion, ethnicity, gender or social status.

He expressed concern over the injuries, destruction of property and loss of lives recorded around the election period, saying the government must respond to affected residents even after the election had ended.

The announcement comes as Adeleke begins preparations for his next term, following his successful defence of the Osun governorship.