The Osun State Election Violence Relief Committee has called on victims of violence arising from the August 15 governorship election to come forward and submit their cases for consideration and possible relief.
The committee, chaired by the Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adewale Olumide Egbedun, made the appeal on Thursday during its inaugural meeting in the state.
In a statement issued after the meeting by the Speaker’s Chief Press Secretary, Olamide Tiamiyu, Egbedun described the committee’s mandate as both humanitarian and sensitive, stressing that its responsibility was to listen to victims, verify genuine claims and ensure that appropriate relief reached those who suffered losses during the election-related violence.
The Speaker welcomed members to the maiden meeting and expressed appreciation for their willingness to serve at what he described as a critical moment in the history of the state.
He assured members of the public that the committee would carry out its assignment fairly, transparently and without prejudice, adding that every submission would be treated with utmost seriousness.
Egbedun said the committee would base its decisions on facts, fairness and compassion, while ensuring that genuine victims were not left out of the relief process.
He disclosed that the committee had already started receiving and reviewing complaints but urged more victims and their representatives to come forward and present their cases.
The Speaker made a special appeal to victims who sustained injuries during the election period and are still receiving treatment in hospitals.
He urged such victims, preferably through their relatives or authorised representatives, to make their cases known to the committee.
According to him, once the cases are presented, the committee would liaise with the hospitals where the victims are receiving treatment to verify their conditions and ensure that they receive the necessary medical attention.
He also assured the victims, their families and the hospitals involved that the government remained committed to taking responsibility for the approved cost of their treatment.
Egbedun also commended the Adeleke Dynasty for its intervention on behalf of children who lost their parents or benefactors during the election violence.
He disclosed that the dynasty, through the Springtime Development Foundation, had committed to sponsoring scholarships for children whose parents died in the violence.
The Speaker described the initiative as a remarkable demonstration of humanity and compassion towards families affected by the incidents.
He said supporting the education of the children was one of the most meaningful ways to honour the memories of those who lost their lives, adding that investing in their future would give them hope and an opportunity to build better lives despite the circumstances they had been forced to endure.
“As Chairman of the Election Violence Relief Committee, I commend this initiative and assure the Adeleke Dynasty and the Springtime Development Foundation of the Committee’s appreciation and support in ensuring that the gesture reaches the intended beneficiaries transparently and effectively,” he said.
Egbedun also thanked the Adeleke Dynasty and the foundation for standing by affected families during a difficult period.
He reaffirmed the committee’s commitment to ensuring a credible, transparent and responsive relief process, stressing that genuine victims would not be overlooked.
The committee’s inaugural meeting comes in the aftermath of the August 15 Osun governorship election, which was won by Governor Ademola Adeleke of the Accord Party.
Adeleke was declared winner by the State Returning Officer of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Joshua Ogunwole, after polling 511,067 votes to defeat the All Progressives Congress candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, who secured 444,815 votes.
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