Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has unveiled several initiatives to aid families impacted by electoral violence surrounding the August 15, 2026 governorship election.
The announcement was made on Wednesday at a celebration rally organized by the Osun labour movement, shortly after Adeleke received his Certificate of Return from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
He stated that children and dependents of those who lost their lives due to the electoral process will receive automatic scholarships up to university level, supported by the Adeleke family through the Springtime Development Foundation.
₦500m Endowment Fund Launched
Governor Adeleke also declared the establishment of a ₦500 million Election Violence Victims Endowment Fund by the Osun State Government. This fund aims to provide relief to verified victims and families affected by election-related violence.
A Verification and Relief Committee, led by the Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Adewale Egbedun, will identify victims, assess their needs, and ensure fair distribution of assistance. Adeleke emphasized that the initiative would be non-political and beneficiaries would not face discrimination based on political affiliation, religion, ethnicity, gender, or social status.
Adeleke Offers Forgiveness to Political Rivals
After receiving his Certificate of Return, Adeleke noted that the document symbolizes a mandate from the people of Osun, not a personal achievement. He expressed gratitude to residents, workers, youths, traditional rulers, religious leaders, and supporters for their participation in the electoral process. Adeleke stated he had forgiven those who opposed him during the campaign, holding no grudges against political rivals. “God has fought my battles for me,” he remarked while reflecting on his re-election and the preceding political contest.
Governor Pays Tribute to Election Violence Victims
During a visit to Ataoja Palace in Osogbo, Adeleke expressed condolences to families affected by election-related violence. He remembered victims such as Ezekiel Olapade, Aderogba Ajayi, Remi Abass, and Kolade Eluyera, among others who suffered losses or injuries. The governor assured these families that their suffering would not be overlooked.
Adeleke Commends INEC
Adeleke praised INEC for its professional handling of the election and thanked security agencies for maintaining order, noting that election day passed without major incidents. INEC National Commissioner for the Osun election, Kunle Ajayi, also applauded voters for participating despite concerns over electoral violence.
Adeleke Wins Second Term
INEC declared Adeleke as the winner of the August 15 governorship election with 511,067 votes. His closest rival, APC candidate Bola Oyebamiji, garnered 444,815 votes, while African Democratic Congress candidate Najeem Salaam received 17,180 votes. Adeleke won in 19 of the state’s 30 local government areas, with Oyebamiji winning in the remaining 11. This result secures another four-year term for Adeleke as governor of Osun State. He now commits to healing divisions and supporting families affected by the election process.
