The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has confirmed the inclusion of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) candidate, Dr. Francis Olugbenga Ajala, and his running mate, Faseke Babajimi Oladipo, on the ballot for the August 15 Osun State governorship election.
The decision followed a judgment of the Federal High Court in Abuja ordering INEC to recognise, accept, process, upload and publish Ajala’s name and particulars as the SDP governorship candidate.
INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Haruna, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday.
According to the commission, the court delivered the judgment on July 22, 2026, in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/344/2026, filed by the SDP and Ajala against INEC.
“Consequently, the ballot papers for the election, scheduled to hold on Saturday, August 15, 2026, are being reproduced to reflect this addition, bringing to fifteen (15) the total number of political parties contesting the election,” INEC said.
The commission also said the result sheets for the election were being reproduced alongside the ballot papers to accommodate the inclusion of the SDP candidate.
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 standard procedure.
The development came two days after the SDP National Chairman, Prof. Sadiq Umar Abubakar Gombe, reportedly announced that the party would challenge INEC’s earlier decision in court.
INEC, however, said the inclusion of Ajala and his running mate was strictly in compliance with the Federal High Court judgment.
The commission reassured political parties, candidates and voters of its commitment to conducting a free, fair and credible governorship election in Osun State.
