Osun Election Violence Committee Opens Claims Process For Victims

Victims of election-related violence in Osun State have been asked to submit claims to the state committee handling the N500 million relief fund set up after the August 15 governorship election.

Adewale Egbedun, Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly and chairman of the Election Violence Relief Committee, made the appeal during the committee’s inaugural meeting. The step follows the state’s earlier move to set up the committee to verify claims for the fund, reported here.

The committee said it had started reviewing complaints already received and would also allow other affected people to present their cases. Egbedun said the panel’s work includes receiving complaints, verifying genuine claims and making sure approved support reaches people who suffered losses.

He said decisions would be guided by facts and the circumstances of each case. The committee also said families of people who died during the election-related violence would receive special attention, including support for children affected by the incidents.

The claims process is the next test for the relief plan. The fund was announced as a support measure for victims, but the committee now has to decide who qualifies, how claims are verified and how assistance is distributed.

Sources: Punch, Daily Post Nigeria