INEC Adds SDP Gov Candidate Ajala To Osun Ballot After Court Order, Reproduces Papers | Sahara Reporters

According to the electoral commission, the inclusion of the SDP candidate was made in compliance with the judgment of the Federal High Court, Abuja, delivered on July 22, 2026.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has added the candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), 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.

INEC disclosed this in a press release signed by Mohammed Kudu Haruna, National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, on Wednesday.

According to the electoral commission, the inclusion of the SDP candidate was made in compliance with the judgment of the Federal High Court, Abuja, delivered on July 22, 2026.

The case, filed as Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/344/2026, was between the Social Democratic Party and Dr. Francis Olugbenga Ajala on one hand, and the Independent National Electoral Commission on the other.

INEC said the court had ordered the commission to “forthwith recognise, accept, upload, process and publish the name and particulars of Dr. Francis Olugbenga Ajala as the candidate of the Social Democratic Party.”

Following the judgment, the commission said it had commenced the reproduction of the ballot papers for the election to reflect the inclusion of Ajala and his running mate.

The development brings the number of political parties contesting the August 15 governorship election to 15.

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.

“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.

“The result sheets for the election are also being reproduced alongside the ballot papers to reflect the inclusion of the SDP candidate.”

The electoral body further said the newly reproduced ballot papers would arrive in Osun State on Thursday, August 13.

According to the commission, the materials would be moved to the various local government area offices across the state on the same day, in line with its standard distribution procedure ahead of the election.

The commission’s decision comes three days before Osun voters are scheduled to elect the next governor of the state, with the electoral body assuring all stakeholders of its commitment to a credible poll.

INEC assured political parties, candidates and the general public that it remained committed to conducting a free, fair and credible governorship election in Osun State.

“INEC assures political parties, candidates, and the general public of its commitment to conducting a free, fair, and credible election in Osun State,” the commission stated.

The August 15 election is expected to determine the next governor of Osun State as political parties intensify their final preparations ahead of the poll.