Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has opened the door for victims of election-related violence to seek relief, through the unveiling of a 10-man committee to verify claims and administer the state’s N500 million Election Violence Victims Relief Endowment Fund.

The committee, chaired by the Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Adewale Egbedun, is expected to begin receiving petitions from persons who suffered losses or harm during election-related violence as part of efforts to identify genuine beneficiaries.

According to a statement issued on Monday by the governor’s spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, the committee was constituted to ensure that the verification process is transparent, credible and insulated from fraudulent claims.

The statement said the panel would establish the authenticity of petitions submitted by alleged victims before recommending qualified beneficiaries for relief from the N500 million fund provided by the state government.

The committee has representatives from key institutions, including the Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services, Ministry of Justice and Ministry of Information, alongside a representative of civil society organisations.

Other members are Eniola Omotoso, Balkiss Akinleye, Emmanuel Olowu, Moshood Suleiman, Moses Faremi, Yemi Lawal and Sola Sonibare, Executive Secretary of the Osun Investment Promotion Agency, who will serve as secretary.

The composition of the committee, which brings together government agencies, security institutions and civil society, is aimed at strengthening public confidence in the exercise and ensuring that the N500 million intervention reaches genuine victims of election violence rather than becoming another avenue for disputed claims.