The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has included the Social Democratic Party (SDP) governorship candidate, Dr. Francis Olugbenga Ajala, and his running mate, Faseke Babajimi Oladipo, on the ballot for the August 15 Osun State governorship election.
INEC disclosed this in a statement issued on Wednesday by its National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Kudu Haruna.
The Commission said the decision was taken in compliance with the judgment of the Federal High Court, Abuja, delivered on July 22, 2026, in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/344/2026, involving the SDP and Ajala against INEC.
According to INEC, the court ordered the Commission to “forthwith recognise, accept, upload, process and publish” the name and particulars of Ajala as the SDP candidate for the election.
“Consequently, the ballot papers for the election, scheduled to hold on Saturday, 15th August 2026, are being reproduced to reflect this addition, bringing to fifteen (15) the total number of political parties contesting the election,” the Commission said.
INEC also disclosed that the result sheets for the election were being reproduced alongside the ballot papers to reflect the inclusion of the SDP candidate.
With the development, INEC said the number of political parties contesting the Osun governorship election has increased to 15.
The Commission said the reproduced ballot papers would arrive in Osun State on Thursday, August 13, and would be distributed the same day to Local Government Area offices across the state.
“The reproduced ballot papers will arrive in Osun State on Thursday, 13th August 2026, and will, same day, be moved to Local Government Area offices across the State, in line with its standard distribution procedure ahead of the election,” INEC stated.
The development comes just three days before the governorship election, with INEC saying the inclusion of the SDP candidate was strictly in compliance with the court judgment.
The electoral body assured political parties, candidates and the general public of its commitment to a credible electoral process.
“INEC assures political parties, candidates, and the general public of its commitment to conducting a free, fair, and credible election in Osun State,” the statement added.
Hafsoh Isiaq is a graduate of Linguistics. An avid writer committed to creative, high-quality research and news reportage. She has considerable experience in writing and reporting across a variety of platforms including print and online.
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