Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has promised to bridge existing divides across the state and run an inclusive administration following the recent governorship election, assuring residents that equity, fairness and unity will remain priorities in the next phase of his tenure. Adeleke made the pledge in a state broadcast on Thursday to mark the 35th anniversary of the creation of Osun State, as he acknowledged the pains, deaths and injuries arising from the recent electoral crisis. The governor said the difficult circumstances surrounding the election had tested the state’s democratic values, while commending residents for their commitment to democracy and the rule of law. A release on his official X handle revealed all these. “My people, as you have again conferred the leadership mandate on me under recent difficult circumstances, I promise to heal the wounds, unite the people and uphold equity and fairness,” Adeleke said. “Our administration will be all inclusive and attentive to criticisms in our bid to strengthen state development.” He said the experience of the past few months had caused significant disruption to the lives of residents, particularly families who lost loved ones. “I recognise the pains and sacrifices of our people in the last few months,” Adeleke said. “We all recognise the unfortunate disruptions in our lives due to the recent governorship election. In many fora, I empathize with many families who lost loved ones. Your sacrifices and those of many who were injured will not go in vain.” Inquiry, compensation fund over election violence Adeleke announced the establishment of a Commission of Inquiry into the recent electoral violence, saying it would receive memoranda from victims and residents affected by the incidents. “Our administration is setting up a Commission of Inquiry on election violence. The body will take memorandum from all victims and residents who are affected by recent electoral violence,” he said. “This initiative is to identify the causes and remedies and proffer ways to stop such recurrence in the future.” The governor also announced an election victim compensation fund headed by the Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Adewale Egbedun. “Our administration has also set up an election victim compensation fund headed by the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Adewale Egbedun,” Adeleke said. “This initiative is to cushion the effect of the recent needless violence.” He urged residents not to engage in reprisal attacks. “As we celebrate the anniversary of the creation of our dear state, I urge all residents to be law abiding and avoid violence. We must not engage in reprisal attacks,” he said. “This initiative is to cushion the effect of the recent needless violence.” He urged residents not to engage in reprisal attacks. “As we celebrate the anniversary of the creation of our dear state, I urge all residents to be law abiding and avoid violence. We must not engage in reprisal attacks,” he said. Osun voters for defending democracy The governor also praised residents for turning out to vote despite the violence surrounding the election. “On the day of election, you trooped out en masse to exercise your voting rights. You did so with candour and fearlessness. Amidst reign of terror, you rejected the guns and embraced the ballot,” he said. “As true sons and daughters of the source, you not only voted but you defended your votes even at personal risk to your lives. Again, I doff my cap for your courage and patriotism.” Adeleke described the election as the toughest test of Osun’s identity since the state’s creation 35 years ago. “Of all developments in the last 35 years of the creation of our dear state, this last state election stands out as the toughest test of who we are as a people,” he said. “By your conduct and the outcome of the polls, Osun people demonstrated to the world that we are indeed the cradle of the Yoruba race, that we are people of valour and integrity.” He said the state’s recent experience represented more than an electoral contest. “Our recent experience as a state is not only a defence of democracy but of good governance and rule of law,” Adeleke said. Build on infrastructure, education, healthcare Adeleke pledged to build on his administration’s achievements in infrastructure, digital economy, sports, agricultural mechanisation, education and healthcare. “We will build on our achievements on state infrastructure, digital economy, sports development, agricultural mechanisation, education and healthcare expansion,” he said. “The youth, women and students will continue to receive special attention.” He also promised greater attention to industrialisation, workers’ welfare, rural development, ease of doing business, wealth creation and anti-poverty initiatives. “We will continue to implement our renewed five point agenda within the compass of due process, procurement regulations and project implementation best practices,” Adeleke said. “We will further refine the adoption of the local content model while expanding financial inclusion through cooperative sector financing.” The governor called for continued cooperation from residents as Osun marked 35 years of its creation. “On this anniversary day, we have a lot to be proud of despite our challenges. I seek your continued cooperation to further deliver good governance. I will work harder never to disappoint you, the great people of Osun state.”