Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has received his certificate of return from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and announced plans to establish a N500 million endowment fund for victims of election-related violence.
The certificate was presented to Adeleke on Wednesday by INEC National Commissioner representing the South-West, Professor Kunle Ajayi, at a ceremony attended by members of the governor’s cabinet and his political associates.
Adeleke was declared the winner of the Osun governorship election on Sunday by the State Returning Officer, Professor Joshua Ogunwole.
The governor secured 511,067 votes to defeat the All Progressives Congress candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, who polled 444,815 votes.
Speaking after receiving the certificate, Adeleke dedicated his victory to the people of Osun State and thanked various groups for their contributions to the electoral process.
“This certificate does not belong to Ademola Adeleke alone. It belongs to the people of Osun State: our workers, market men and women, youths, traditional and religious leaders, and every citizen who participated in this democratic process.
“I am deeply humbled by the confidence you have renewed in me,” he said.
The governor also addressed the deaths, injuries and destruction recorded during the election period, announcing measures to support affected families.
READ ALSO:
- Shell Reinforces Safety Commitment at CEO Contractors Forum
- Dangote Refinery Could Not Have Survived Under Petrol Subsidy Regime — Oyedele
- Adeleke Receives Certificate Of Return, Announces N500m Fund For Election Violence Victims
- FCT Police Arrest 40 Suspects Over Traffic Robbery, Kidnapping
- Osogbo Tension: Man Shot Dead After Suspected Thugs Clash With Davido’s Security Team
He said his administration would establish a N500 million endowment fund for verified victims of electoral violence, while a verification and relief committee headed by the Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Adewale Olumide Egbedun, would oversee the process.
“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.
“It is deeply painful that any family should have to bury a loved one because of politics. No election, political office or ambition is worth the life of a single citizen,” Adeleke said.
He specifically remembered Ezekiel Olapade, Aderogba Ajayi, Remi Abass, Kolade Eluyera and other victims of electoral violence.
“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 added.
Adeleke further disclosed that his family, through the Springtime Development Foundation, would provide full scholarships up to university level for children and dependants of those who died.
“The Osun State Government will also establish a N500m election violence victims endowment fund to support verified victims and affected families,” he said.
He added: “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. In grief, there is no political party. In our common humanity, we are one people.”
Gunshots Near Ataoja Palace
Meanwhile, gunshots were heard around the palace of the Ataoja of Osogbo on Wednesday shortly after Adeleke visited the monarch.
The shooting reportedly lasted between 12 and 15 minutes and occurred after the governor had left the palace with his convoy.
Adeleke arrived at the palace at about 3:15pm after collecting his certificate of return at the Osun State INEC office.
An eyewitness said the governor and his entourage were received by the Ataoja, Oba Jimoh Olanipekun, inside the palace hall, where Adeleke reportedly presented his certificate to the monarch.
The source said the governor had already entered his vehicle with his close aides when gunshots began.
“He was already in the bus that brought him and his close aides to the palace when we started hearing heavy gunshots.
“The shooting lasted about 12 to 15 minutes before the governor’s convoy eventually left the palace,” the eyewitness said.
Osun State Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, confirmed that the governor’s convoy had come under attack.
“They are hoodlums, and the governor’s security repelled them. They attacked the governor’s convoy in Ataoja’s palace. No casualty,” Alimi said.
However, the state police command later confirmed that one person was killed in the incident.
Police Confirm One Death
The police identified the deceased as 60-year-old Tajudeen Yusuf, a resident of the Oke-Ayepe area of Osogbo.
According to the Police Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Ojelabi, preliminary investigations indicated that a suspected thug, Adebayo Taoreed, popularly known as “Small Rugged”, allegedly attempted to gain access to singer Davido, who had accompanied his uncle to the palace.
Ojelabi said Taoreed was resisted by Davido’s security personnel, triggering a confrontation that allegedly attracted other suspected gang members.
“On Wednesday, 19th August 2026, at about 1600hrs, the command received information that one Tajudeen Yusuf, male, aged 60 years, of Oke-Ayepe area, Osogbo, was shot by suspected hoodlums at Itaolokan area of Osogbo,” he said.
He explained that the confrontation temporarily disrupted movement around the palace before the governor’s convoy eventually left the area safely.
“Immediately after the visit, one Adebayo Taoreed, popularly known as ‘Small Rugged’, an ex-convict, a suspected notorious thug and a member of the Eye confraternity, allegedly attempted to gain access to Davido but was resisted by members of his security Team,” Ojelabi said.
“The ensuing confrontation reportedly attracted other suspected gang members in the vicinity, who temporarily blocked the entrance to the palace and obstructed the movement. The convoy eventually left the area safely.”
The police spokesman said the suspected gang members later left the area and allegedly shot Yusuf at Itaolokan.
Police officers who arrived at the scene found the victim critically injured and rushed him to the University Teaching Hospital in Osogbo, where doctors pronounced him dead.
The police said a full investigation had commenced, while efforts were being made to identify and arrest those allegedly responsible.
The Commissioner of Police in charge of elections in Osun State, Samuel Etaifo, condemned the killing and promised that all available resources would be deployed to apprehend the suspects.
The command urged anyone with useful information to contact the police and advised residents to remain calm and avoid taking the law into their own hands.
Davido also addressed the incident in a post on X, distancing himself and his uncle from the confrontation.
“It was a fight outside the palace that had nothing to do with us,” the singer wrote.