Adeleke Announces N500m Fund, Scholarships for Osun Election Violence Victims
Kola Oyelere, Kano
Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has announced a N500 million Election Violence Victims Endowment Fund to support verified victims and families affected by violence during the 2026 governorship election.
Adeleke also disclosed that his family, through the Springtime Development Foundation, would provide full scholarships up to university level for children and dependants of those who lost their lives during the electoral violence.
The governor made the announcement while receiving his Certificate of Return, describing the occasion as a renewed contract with the people of Osun State rather than a political victory over his opponents.
He said a Verification and Relief Committee, chaired by the Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adewale Olumide Egbedun, would oversee the transparent identification of victims and equitable distribution of assistance.
Adeleke stressed that the intervention would be humanitarian and not politically motivated, assuring that eligible victims would not be discriminated against on the grounds of political affiliation, religion, ethnicity, gender or social status.
“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,” he said.
The governor expressed gratitude to the electorate for renewing their confidence in his administration but urged residents to remain sober over the violence that characterised the electoral process.
He lamented that citizens were injured, properties and livelihoods destroyed, while some people lost their lives during the election.
“No election, political office or ambition is worth the life of a single citizen,” Adeleke said, as he commiserated with families of the victims.
He specifically remembered Ezekiel Olapade, Aderogba Ajayi, Remi Abass, Kolade Eluyera and other victims, stressing that they were citizens of Osun irrespective of their political affiliations.
Adeleke urged political actors and residents to put the election and campaign behind them and focus on governance, unity and development.
“The election is over. The campaign is over. The contest is over. Now is the time to govern, unite, heal and build,” he said.
He pledged that his administration would continue to prioritise infrastructure, healthcare, education, workers’ welfare, youth empowerment and economic development, while promoting accountability, inclusion and transparency.
The governor also assured residents who voted against him that he remained governor for all citizens of the state.
“To those who voted for another candidate, I thank you for participating in our democracy. I remain Governor to all, and together we must place Osun State above politics,” he said.
Adeleke pledged to work harder, listen more and do more during his renewed tenure, saying he accepted the mandate with humility and a strong sense of responsibility.
He said the state would celebrate the electoral victory while remembering those who lost their lives, adding that his administration would return to work with renewed commitment.
“Today, we are grateful for victory, but sober in remembrance. Tomorrow, we return to work,” Adeleke said.
He prayed for the comfort of families affected by the violence, healing for the injured and continued peace and prosperity in Osun State.