Osun govt constitutes election violence victims’ verification committee

The Osun State Government has created a committee to investigate claims from individuals affected by election-related violence and distribute the ₦500 million Election Violence Victims Relief Endowment Fund. Governor Ademola Adeleke announced the committee through a spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, emphasizing its role in ensuring that genuine victims receive relief from the state government's fund.

The committee, chaired by the Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Adewale Olumide Egbedun, includes members from various sectors such as civil society organizations, the Nigeria Police Force, the Ministry of Information, and the Department of State Services. Mr Sola Sonibare, Executive Secretary of the Osun Investment Promotion Agency, serves as the committee's secretary.

The committee's mandate includes verifying petitions, assessing claims and evidence from victims, determining eligibility, and recommending suitable relief based on state government guidelines. Its primary goal is to support citizens who suffered losses, injuries, displacement, or other hardships due to election-related violence through a transparent and credible verification process.

The Osun government urged affected persons to cooperate by providing accurate information and evidence necessary for the verification process, emphasizing that the ₦500 million relief fund will be managed transparently and fairly, exclusively benefiting verified victims.