By Mardiyyah Abubakar
Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has received his Certificate of Return from the Independent National Electoral Commission and announced a N500m endowment fund for victims of election violence.
The INEC National Commissioner representing the South-West, Prof. Kunle Ajayi, presented the certificate to Adeleke on Wednesday at a ceremony attended by members of the governor’s cabinet and political associates.
INEC declared Adeleke the winner of the Osun governorship election on Sunday after he secured 511,067 votes to defeat the All Progressives Congress candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, who polled 444,815 votes.
Speaking after receiving the certificate, Adeleke said the mandate belonged to the people of Osun State and thanked workers, traders, youths, traditional and religious leaders and other citizens who participated in the election.
The governor also expressed concern over the deaths, injuries and destruction of property recorded during the election period.
He announced that his family, through the Springtime Development Foundation, would provide full scholarships up to university level for the children and dependants of people who died in election-related violence.
Adeleke also announced that the state government would establish a N500m election violence victims’ endowment fund to support verified victims and affected families.
He said a verification and relief committee, chaired by the Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Adewale Egbedun, would identify victims and ensure transparent and fair distribution of the support.
The governor said the intervention would not discriminate based on political affiliation, religion, ethnicity, gender or social status.
Gunshots Rock Ataoja Palace
Meanwhile, gunshots rang out near the palace of the Ataoja of Osogbo on Wednesday shortly after Adeleke left the monarch’s palace.
The shooting reportedly lasted between 12 and 15 minutes, causing businesses around the area to close abruptly as residents sought safety.
The Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, confirmed that hoodlums attacked the governor’s convoy but said the governor’s security personnel repelled them.
However, the police later confirmed that a 60-year-old resident, Tajudeen Yusuf, was shot dead during the incident.
According to the Osun State Police Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Ojelabi, the incident followed an alleged attempt by Adebayo Taoreed, popularly known as “Small Rugged,” to gain access to Davido, who accompanied his uncle, Adeleke, to the palace.
Ojelabi described Taoreed as an ex-convict, suspected thug and alleged member of the Eye confraternity.
The police said security personnel resisted his attempt to approach Davido, triggering a confrontation that allegedly attracted other suspected gang members.
The suspected gang members reportedly blocked the palace entrance temporarily and obstructed the governor’s convoy before the convoy eventually left the area safely.
Police said the suspects later left the area and allegedly shot Yusuf at Itaolokan, Osogbo.
Officers found the victim in a pool of blood and rushed him to the University Teaching Hospital, Osogbo, where doctors pronounced him dead.
The police have launched a full-scale investigation and intensified efforts to identify and arrest the suspects.
The Commissioner of Police (Election), Osun State Command, Samuel Etaifo, condemned the killing and assured residents that the command would use all available resources to bring those responsible to justice.
The police urged anyone with useful information to contact the nearest police station or the command through its official channels.
The command also appealed to residents to remain calm and avoid taking the law into their own hands.
Davido, in a post on his official X account, clarified that the incident occurred outside the palace and had nothing to do with him or his uncle.
