By Fisayo Balogun
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, in the ballot for the Osun State governorship election scheduled for Saturday, August 15, 2026.
The commission said the decision followed a judgment delivered by the Federal High Court in Abuja on July 22, 2026, in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/344/2026 involving the SDP, Ajala and INEC.
According to INEC, the court directed the commission to recognize, accept, upload, process and publish Ajala’s name and particulars as the SDP candidate for the election.
The development was disclosed in a statement issued on Wednesday by INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of its Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Kudu Haruna.
Following the court order, INEC said it had commenced the reproduction of ballot papers and result sheets to accommodate the SDP candidate.
The inclusion of the SDP brings the number of political parties contesting the Osun governorship election to 15.
INEC said the newly reproduced ballot papers are expected to arrive in Osun State on Thursday, August 13, after which they will be distributed to the Local Government Area offices across the state.
The electoral commission assured political parties, candidates and voters of its commitment to conducting a free, fair and credible election in Osun State.
The August 15 poll will therefore feature 15 political parties, following the last-minute inclusion of the SDP candidate on the ballot.
