The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has added the Social Democratic Party (SDP) governorship candidate, Dr. Francis Olugbenga Ajala, and his running mate, Faseke Babajimi Oladipo, to the ballot for the Osun State Governorship Election scheduled for Saturday, August 15, 2026.
The commission announced the development in a statement issued on Wednesday by Mohammed Kudu Haruna, National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee.
INEC said the decision followed a Federal High Court judgment delivered in Abuja on July 22, 2026, in a suit filed by the SDP and Ajala against the commission.
According to INEC, the court directed it to recognise, accept, process, upload and publish Ajala’s name and particulars as the SDP governorship candidate.
Following the judgment, the commission said it had commenced the reproduction of ballot papers and result sheets to accommodate the SDP candidate. The development brings the number of political parties participating in the Osun governorship election to 15.
INEC disclosed that the newly reproduced ballot papers would arrive in Osun State on Thursday, August 13, and would subsequently be distributed to Local Government Area offices across the state in accordance with its established procedures.
The commission also said the result sheets were being reproduced to reflect the inclusion of the SDP candidate.
INEC assured political parties, candidates and voters of its commitment to conducting a free, fair and credible governorship election in Osun State.
The inclusion of the SDP candidate comes just days before the highly anticipated August 15 poll, with the commission already making final preparations for the election.
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