Osun State Governor Receives Certificate of Return, Pledges Support for Election Violence Victims

Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State has officially received his certificate of return, formalizing his victory in the recent governorship election. The presentation was made by Professor Kunle Ajayi, National Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the South-west region.

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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.

In a poignant address following the ceremony, Governor Adeleke expressed deep sorrow over the loss of life and destruction of property during the election. He emphasized that no political ambition is worth a citizen's life and called for sober reflection even in victory. "This certificate does not belong to Ademola Adeleke alone. It belongs to the people of Osun State," he stated, acknowledging the renewed confidence placed in him by the state's citizens.

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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.

Adeleke specifically remembered victims of electoral violence, including Ezekiel Olapade, Aderogba Ajayi, Remi Abass, and Kolade Eluyera, stressing their shared humanity beyond political affiliations. To support their families, the Adeleke family, through the Springtime Development Foundation, pledged to offer full scholarships up to the university level for the children and dependents of those who lost their lives in the election-related violence.

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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.

Furthermore, the Osun State Government will launch a N500 million Election Violence Victims Endowment Fund. This fund aims to provide support to verified victims and affected families. A Verification and Relief Committee, chaired by the Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Hon. Adewale Olumide Egbedun, will oversee the transparent identification of victims and the equitable distribution of aid. Governor Adeleke described this initiative as a "humanitarian responsibility," ensuring that no eligible victim is excluded based on political affiliation, religion, ethnicity, gender, or social status, emphasizing unity in grief and common humanity.

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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.