The Independent National Electoral Commission has included the Social Democratic Party’s governorship candidate, Dr. Francis Olugbenga Ajala, and his running mate, Faseke Babajimi Oladipo, on the ballot for Saturday’s Osun State governorship election following an order of the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The development brings to 15 the number of political parties whose candidates will contest the August 15, 2026 governorship election in the state.
INEC disclosed the development in a statement dated August 12, 2026 and signed by its National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Kudu Haruna.
According to the Commission, the inclusion of Ajala and Oladipo followed the judgment of the Federal High Court, Abuja, delivered on July 22, 2026 in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/344/2026, instituted by the SDP and Ajala against INEC.
The court had ordered the electoral body to immediately recognise, accept, upload, process and publish Ajala’s name and particulars as the governorship candidate of the SDP.
INEC said it had consequently commenced the reproduction of ballot papers for the election to accommodate the SDP candidate.
“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 Commission said.
INEC further disclosed that the result sheets to be used for the election were also being reproduced to reflect the SDP’s inclusion.
“The result sheets for the election are also being reproduced alongside the ballot papers to reflect the inclusion of the SDP candidate,” it stated.
According to the Commission, the newly produced ballot papers are expected to arrive in Osun State on Thursday, August 13, 2026.
They will thereafter be moved to INEC offices in the local government areas across the state on the same day, in accordance with the Commission’s established distribution procedure ahead of the election.
“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,” INEC said.
The electoral body assured political parties, candidates and residents of Osun State that the late adjustment to the ballot would not affect its preparations for the governorship election.
The inclusion of the SDP candidate comes just days before voting and follows the Commission’s implementation of the Federal High Court judgment directing it to recognise Ajala as the party’s duly presented candidate.
The inclusion of the SDP candidate comes just days before voting and follows the Commission’s implementation of the Federal High Court judgment directing it to recognise Ajala as the party’s duly presented candidate.