OSOGBO — Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State has urged residents to move beyond the divisions created by the recent governorship election and join hands in pursuing the state’s development.
Adeleke made the appeal after receiving his Certificate of Return from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) at the commission’s headquarters in Osogbo, following his re-election for a second term.
The governor expressed appreciation to Osun residents for renewing his mandate, acknowledging the support of traditional rulers, religious and community leaders, workers, pensioners, youths, women, artisans, traders, farmers and other citizens who participated in the electoral process.
“The election is over. The campaign is over. The contest is over. Now is the time to govern, unite, heal and build.”
Adeleke said the outcome of the election should be followed by reflection rather than continued political division. He also expressed sympathy to families who lost relatives during incidents of electoral violence, stressing that the victims should not be defined by their political affiliations.
The governor announced that the Osun State Government would establish a ₦500 million Election Violence Victims Endowment Fund to assist verified victims and affected families. A Verification and Relief Committee, chaired by the Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Adewale Olumide Egbedun, is expected to oversee the identification of beneficiaries and distribution of the assistance.
Adeleke also disclosed that the Adeleke family, through the Springtime Development Foundation, would provide full scholarships up to university level for children and dependants of people who died in the electoral violence. He described the measures as humanitarian rather than political interventions.
“To those who voted for me, I thank you. 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.”
The governor said his administration would continue working in areas including infrastructure, healthcare, education, workers’ welfare, youth empowerment and economic development, while emphasising accountability, inclusion and transparency.
