The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has added the Social Democratic Party (SDP) governorship candidate, Dr Francis Olugbenga Ajala, and his running mate, Faseke Babajimi Oladipo, to the ballot for the Osun State governorship election.
INEC announced the development 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 INEC, the court ordered the Commission to recognise, accept, upload, process and publish Ajala’s name and particulars as the SDP governorship candidate.
Following the judgment, INEC said it had commenced the reproduction of ballot papers and result sheets to reflect the inclusion of the SDP candidate.
With the addition of the SDP, the Commission said the number of political parties contesting the Osun governorship election has increased 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, after which they will be distributed to Local Government Area offices across the state in line with its standard procedure.
The Commission assured political parties, candidates and voters of its commitment to conducting a free, fair, transparent and credible governorship election in Osun State.
