Adeleke Receives Certificate Of Return, Vows To Heal, Unite, Build Osun

Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has received his Certificate of Return from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), following his victory in the August 15, 2026 governorship election.

The certificate was presented to Adeleke on Wednesday at the INEC headquarters in Osogbo by Professor Kunle Ajayi, INEC National Commissioner representing the South-West and supervising electoral activities in Ogun, Ondo and Osun States.

Receiving the certificate, Adeleke described the occasion as “a moment of gratitude, reflection and appreciation” to the people of Osun State for their participation in the democratic process.

He said the certificate should not be seen as his personal possession, but as a renewed mandate from the people of the state, stressing that “this certificate does not belong to Ademola Adeleke alone. It belongs to the people of Osun State.”

The governor, who acknowledged the violence and loss of lives recorded around the election, called for healing and reconciliation, saying no political ambition was worth the life of any citizen.

“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,” Adeleke said.

He added: “No election, political office or ambition is worth the life of a single citizen.”

Adeleke specifically remembered victims of electoral violence, including Ezekiel Olapade, Aderogba Ajayi, Remi Abass and Kolade Eluyera, saying their political affiliations should not determine how their deaths were viewed.

“Regardless of political affiliation, they were first our brothers, sisters and fellow citizens. To their families, your pain is our pain, and your loved ones will never be reduced to mere statistics,” he said.

As part of measures to support families affected by the violence, the governor announced that the Adeleke 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 announced the establishment of a N500 million Election Violence Victims Endowment Fund by the Osun State Government to support verified victims and affected families.

According to him, a Verification and Relief Committee, to be chaired by the Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adewale Olumide Egbedun, would oversee the transparent identification of victims and equitable distribution of support.

Adeleke stressed that the intervention would be humanitarian rather than political, assuring that no eligible victim would be discriminated against on the basis of political affiliation, religion, ethnicity, gender or social status.

“This is not a political intervention. It is a humanitarian responsibility. No eligible victim will be excluded because of political affiliation, religion, ethnicity, gender or social status,” the governor said.

He urged political actors and citizens across the state to put the election behind them and focus on governance and development, declaring: “The election is over. The campaign is over. The contest is over. Now is the time to govern, unite, heal and build.”

The governor thanked both his supporters and those who voted for other candidates, assuring that he remained the governor of the entire state.

“I remain Governor to all, and together we must place Osun State above politics,” Adeleke said.

He further pledged to consolidate on his administration’s programmes in infrastructure, healthcare, education, workers’ welfare, youth empowerment and economic development, with emphasis on accountability, inclusion and transparency.

Adeleke promised to approach his renewed mandate with greater commitment, saying, “You have given me another opportunity to serve, and I accept this responsibility with humility. I will work harder. I will listen more. I will do more.”

The governor concluded by urging the people of Osun to embrace peace and unity as the state moves beyond the election, saying, “Today, we are grateful for victory, but sober in remembrance. Tomorrow, we return to work.”

He prayed for the families of those who lost their lives, the injured and the people of the state, pledging that his administration would continue to work for the progress and development of Osun.
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