Osun Poll: Adeleke Receives Certificate, Unveils ₦500m Victims’ Fund

Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has received his Certificate of Return from the Independent National Electoral Commission and announced a ₦500m endowment fund for victims of election-related violence.

The certificate was presented to Adeleke on Wednesday by INEC National Commissioner representing the South-West, Prof Kunle Ajayi, during a ceremony attended by members of the governor’s cabinet and political associates.

Adeleke was declared winner of the governorship election after polling 511,067 votes to defeat the All Progressives Congress candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, who secured 444,815 votes.

Speaking at the ceremony, Adeleke dedicated his victory to the people of Osun State and thanked workers, traders, youths, traditional rulers, religious leaders and other citizens for participating in the democratic process.

The governor, however, said the election period was marred by injuries, destruction of property and loss of lives.

He named Ezekiel Olapade, Aderogba Ajayi, Remi Abass and Kolade Eluyera among those who died during election-related violence, saying their deaths should not be reduced to statistics.

Adeleke announced that his family, through the Springtime Development Foundation, would provide full scholarships up to university level for the children and dependants of those who lost their lives.

He also unveiled a ₦500m election violence victims’ endowment fund to support verified victims and affected families.

According to him, a verification and relief committee, chaired by the Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Adewale Egbedun, would identify victims and supervise the transparent distribution of assistance.

The governor stressed that the intervention would be humanitarian and not political, adding that eligible victims would not be discriminated against on the basis of political affiliation, religion, ethnicity, gender or social status.

Gunshots Near Ataoja’s Palace

Meanwhile, gunshots were heard around the palace of the Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Oyetunji, shortly after Adeleke visited the monarch.

The incident reportedly lasted about 15 minutes and caused traders and residents in the area to flee their businesses.

Davido, who accompanied his uncle to the palace, later disputed reports that the governor’s convoy had been attacked.

In a post on his verified X account, the singer said there was a fight outside the palace but insisted it had nothing to do with him or Adeleke.

“It was a fight outside the palace that had nothing to do with us,” Davido wrote.

However, the Osun State Police Command confirmed that one person died during the incident.

The Police Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Ojelabi, identified the deceased as 60-year-old Tajudeen Yusuf of Oke-Ayepe, Osogbo.

The police said preliminary investigations indicated that a suspected thug, Adebayo Taoreed, popularly known as “Small Rugged,” allegedly attempted to gain access to Davido but was resisted by his security team.

The confrontation reportedly attracted other suspected gang members, who temporarily obstructed movement around the palace before the governor’s convoy left safely.

The police said the suspected gang members later moved towards Itaolokan, where Yusuf was allegedly shot.

He was rushed to the University Teaching Hospital, Osogbo, but was pronounced dead by doctors.

The command has commenced a full investigation and intensified efforts to arrest those responsible.

The Commissioner of Police (Election), Samuel Etaifo, condemned the killing and urged residents to remain calm and provide information that could assist the investigation.