The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has revealed why 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, were added to the ballot for the election scheduled for August 15, 2026.
INEC’s National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Kudu Haruna, made the disclosure in a statement on Wednesday.
Haruna 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 the SDP and Dr. Francis Olugbenga Ajala on the one hand and INEC 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,” he said.
Haruna affirmed that the ballot papers for the election were being reproduced to reflect the addition, bringing the total number of political parties contesting the election to 15.
He further confirmed that the result sheets for the election were also being reproduced alongside the ballot papers to reflect the inclusion of the SDP candidate
The Commission stated that the reproduced ballot papers would arrive in Osun State on Thursday and, on the same day, be moved to Local Government Area offices across the state, in line with its standard distribution procedure ahead of the election.
INEC assured political parties, candidates, and the general public of its commitment to conducting a free, fair, and credible election in Osun State.
