Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced that the candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) for the Osun State governorship election, Dr. Francis Ajala and his running mate, Faseke Oladipo, have been added to the ballot for the election on Saturday.
INEC National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Haruna, in a statement explained that the action was taken in compliance with the judgment of the Federal High Court, Abuja, delivered on July 22, 2026 in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/344/2026, between SDP and Ajala on the one hand and INEC on the other.
He recalled that the court had ordered the commission to forthwith recognise, accept, upload, process and publish the name and particulars of Ajala as the candidate of SDP.
Haruna noted: “Consequently, the ballot papers for the election, scheduled to hold on Saturday, 15th August 2026, are being reproduced to reflect this addition, bringing to 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 commission informed the public that the reproduced ballot papers would arrive in Osun State on Thursday, August 13, 2026, and would, same day, be moved to local government area offices across the state, in line with its standard distribution procedure ahead of the election.
The commission assured political parties, candidates and the general public of its commitment to conducting a free, fair and credible election in Osun State.