Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, on Wednesday received his certificate of return from the Independent National Electoral Commission and announced plans to establish a N500m election violence victims endowment fund.

🇳🇬 Here's What Happened

The certificate was presented to him by the Independent National Electoral Commission National Commissioner representing the South-West, Prof Kunle Ajayi, at an event attended by political associates of the governor and members of his cabinet.

The PUNCH reports that Adeleke was declared winner of the governorship election by the State Returning Officer of INEC, Prof Joshua Ogunwole, on Sunday.

Adeleke polled 511,067 votes to defeat the All Progressives Congress candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, who scored 444,815 votes.

📌 Key Details

Speaking during the ceremony, Adeleke lauded the roles played by different segments of the state in his victory at the poll.

He said, “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.”

Speaking on those injured and killed in the build-up to the election, the governor said a verification and relief committee, to be chaired by the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Adewale Egbedun, would administer the fund and oversee the transparent identification of victims and equitable distribution of support.

“But even in victory, we must be sober in reflection. Citizens were injured, properties and livelihoods were destroyed and, most painfully, precious lives were lost.

“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.

📰 Source: Punch Nigeria