Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has included the candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Dr. Francis Olugbenga Ajala, and his running mate, Faseke Babajimi Oladipo, on the ballot for the Osun State governorship election scheduled for Saturday, August 15, 2026.
The electoral body said the decision followed a judgment delivered by the Federal High Court in Abuja, which directed it to recognise and publish the SDP candidate for the election.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by the National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Kudu Haruna, INEC explained that the inclusion was in compliance with the court’s ruling in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/344/2026.
According to the commission, the Federal High Court, in its judgment delivered on July 22, 2026, ordered INEC to recognise, accept, upload, process and publish the name and particulars of Dr. Ajala as the SDP governorship candidate.
The statement read: “The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) wishes to inform the public that the candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) for the Osun State Governorship Election, Dr. Francis Olugbenga Ajala and his running mate, Faseke Babajimi Oladipo, have been added to the ballot for the election.”
It added: “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.”
Following the development, INEC said it has commenced the reproduction of ballot papers and election result sheets to reflect the SDP’s participation in the poll.
The commission noted that the latest adjustment increases the number of political parties contesting the Osun governorship election from 14 to 15.
INEC further disclosed that the newly printed ballot papers are expected to arrive in Osun State on Thursday, August 13, and will be distributed immediately to all Local Government Area offices across the state in line with its election logistics timetable.
The statement further read: “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.”
It added: “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.”
Reaffirming its readiness for the poll, the electoral umpire assured political parties, candidates and voters of its commitment to delivering a transparent electoral process.
“INEC assures political parties, candidates, and the general public of its commitment to conducting a free, fair, and credible election in Osun State,” the statement concluded.