Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has called for healing, unity and reconciliation across the state following his re-election in the August 15 governorship election.
In statements issued after his victory and during the presentation of his Certificate of Return by the Independent National Electoral Commission, the governor urged residents to put the election behind them and work together for the progress of Osun State.
“The election is over. The campaign is over. The contest is over. Now is the time to govern, unite, heal and build,” Adeleke declared after receiving his Certificate of Return.
He extended an olive branch to his opponents, stating: “In this race, there is no victor, no vanquished. I extend an olive branch to my co-contestants. I am the Governor of all Osun people.”
Adeleke appealed for the restoration of peace and communal harmony, warning against post-election attacks or retaliatory actions. He called on community leaders and traditional institutions to lead peace-building efforts, noting that the electoral contest had been settled by the will of the people and divine grace.
The governor also announced the establishment of a ₦500 million Election Violence Victims Endowment Fund to provide relief and support to verified victims and families affected by pre-election violence. He directed that scholarships be awarded to children of those who lost their lives, emphasising that the intervention would be purely humanitarian.
“No eligible victim will be excluded because of political affiliation, religion, ethnicity, gender or social status. In grief, there is no political party. In our common humanity, we are one people,” he said.
Adeleke further declared that he had forgiven all those who offended him during the campaign, stating that he holds no grudge and remains committed to serving every citizen of Osun State.
He pledged to reinforce the strengths of his administration, correct past shortcomings, and accelerate development under his renewed five-point agenda, with focus on infrastructure, healthcare, education, workers’ welfare, youth empowerment and economic growth.
Adeleke, who contested on the platform of the Accord Party, secured 511,067 votes to defeat his closest rival.