JUST IN: INEC Adds SDP Candidate To Osun Governorship Ballot

The Independent National Electoral Commission has added the Social Democratic Party candidate, Dr Francis Olugbenga Ajala, and his running mate, Faseke Babajimi Oladipo, to the ballot for the Osun State governorship election.

INEC announced this in a statement issued on Wednesday by its National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Kudu Haruna.

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 the commission, the court ordered it to recognise, accept, upload, process and publish Ajala’s name and particulars as the SDP governorship candidate.

INEC said it had consequently commenced the reproduction of the ballot papers for the election to reflect the inclusion of the SDP candidate.

The commission also said the result sheets were being reproduced alongside the ballot papers to reflect the change.

With the addition of the SDP, INEC said the number of political parties contesting the Osun governorship election has risen to 15.

The election is scheduled to hold on Saturday, August 15, 2026.

INEC said the reproduced ballot papers are expected to arrive in Osun State on Thursday, August 13, and will be distributed to Local Government Area offices across the state the same day in line with its standard procedure.

The Commission assured political parties, candidates and voters of its commitment to conducting a free, fair and credible governorship election in Osun State.