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Re-elected Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has declared that he “brought the light” to the state and “drove darkness out,” as he promised full scholarships for the children of election victims and announced a N500 million endowment fund for those affected by electoral violence.
“I brought the light to Osun State, and I drove darkness out of Osun State. Osun State will never see darkness again,” Adeleke said on Wednesday during the presentation of his certificate of return in Osogbo, following his victory in the August 15 governorship election.
Adeleke also called for unity, forgiving his opponents and inviting them to join hands in moving the state forward.
“Whatever has happened in the past, let it be bygone. Because I have a fear of God. All the people that offended me, I forgive them,” he said.
The governor said the Adeleke family would provide full scholarships up to university level for the children of those who lost their lives during the election.
“All those who have lost their lives, I’m promising, the Adeleke family is promising to take them, not government money now. God has blessed us, and we’re going to bless them,” Adeleke said.
“All those who have lost their life, their children, we give you scholarship to Adeleke High School and Adeleke University.”
“All the people who offended me, I forgive them.”
After collecting his Certificate of Return, Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke says he has forgiven his opponents and urged them to work together for Osun’s progress. pic.twitter.com/pBEu9hrhbr
— News Central TV (@NewsCentralTV) August 19, 2026
Adeleke also announced a N500 million Election Violence Victims Endowment Fund to support verified victims and affected families.
A Verification and Relief Committee, chaired by the Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, will oversee the identification of victims and distribution of support.
“This is not a political intervention. It is a humanitarian responsibility,” he said.
“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.”
The governor said his certificate of return was “not a trophy or a weapon against anyone, but a renewed contract with you.”
“To those who voted for me, I thank you. To those who voted for another candidate, I thank you for participating in our democracy. I remain Governor to all,” he said.
Adeleke named victims of the electoral violence, including Ezekiel Olapade, Aderogba Ajayi, Remi Abass and Kolade Eluyera, saying their loved ones “will never be reduced to mere statistics.”
“No election, political office or ambition is worth the life of a single citizen,” he said.
A TIME TO HEAL, UNITE AND BUILD
My Remarks at the Presentation of Certificate of Return
Protocol.
My dear people of Osun State,
Today is not merely about the presentation of a Certificate of Return. It is a moment of gratitude, reflection and appreciation to the people of…
— Gov Ademola Adeleke (@AAdeleke_01) August 19, 2026
