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 barely 72 hours before voters head to the polls.
The commission said the decision followed a judgment of the Federal High Court in Abuja directing it to recognise and publish the SDP candidate for the election scheduled for Saturday, August 15, 2026.
INEC’s National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Haruna, said the commission had complied with the court order.
The Federal High Court, Abuja, in its judgment delivered on July 22, 2026, in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/344/2026 between the Social Democratic Party and Dr. Francis Olugbenga Ajala against the Independent National Electoral Commission, had reportedly ordered INEC to recognise and process the candidature of the party’s governorship flag bearer.
The statement read, “This action has been taken in compliance with the judgment of the Federal High Court, Abuja, delivered on 22nd July 2026 in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/344/2026, between Social Democratic Party and Dr. Francis Olugbenga Ajala on the one hand and the Independent National Electoral Commission on the other. 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.”
INEC said the inclusion of the SDP candidate had made it necessary to reproduce ballot papers and result sheets for the election.
It said the development increased the number of political parties participating in the poll from 14 to 15.
“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 result sheets for the election are also being reproduced alongside the ballot papers to reflect the inclusion of the SDP candidate,” the statement added.
The commission further disclosed that the newly printed ballot papers would arrive in Osun State on Thursday and be distributed to local government offices the same day in line with its election timetable.
“The Commission wishes to inform the public that 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,” Haruna stated.
INEC reaffirmed its commitment to conducting a credible governorship election in the state.
(The Whistler)
