Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has added the Social Democratic Party (SDP) candidate, Dr. Francis Olugbenga Ajala, and his running mate, Faseke Babajimi Oladipo, to the ballot for Saturday's Osun State governorship election, following a Federal High Court judgment in Abuja.
The decision, announced on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, increases the number of political parties contesting the election from 14 to 15. INEC said the move was in compliance with a court order issued on July 22, 2026, in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/344/2026.
According to the court ruling, INEC was directed to "forthwith recognise, accept, upload, process and publish" the name and particulars of Dr. Ajala as the SDP candidate. The commission said it had commenced the reproduction of ballot papers and result sheets to reflect the inclusion.
INEC assured the public that the new ballot papers would arrive in Osun State on Thursday, August 13, and would be distributed to local government area offices the same day. "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," the commission said in a statement signed by Mohammed Kudu Haruna, National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee.
The SDP had been locked in a legal battle over its candidate for the Osun election. The party had earlier appealed a Federal High Court judgment that recognised a different candidate. However, the court ruling of July 22 settled the matter in favour of Dr. Ajala.
The SDP national chairman, Prof. Sodiq Abubakar Gombe, had earlier confirmed that the party secured a court judgment directing INEC to recognise Ajala as the party's sole candidate. The party had insisted that Ajala emerged from a properly conducted primary election monitored by INEC.
The addition of the SDP candidate brings the total number of political parties contesting the August 15 governorship election to 15. The election is expected to be fiercely contested, with incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke of the Accord Party seeking re-election against a strong challenge from the All Progressives Congress candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, and other contenders.
The late inclusion of the SDP candidate has raised questions about the logistics of printing and distributing new ballot papers just days before the election. However, INEC has assured the public that the process will be completed in time. "The result sheets for the election are also being reproduced alongside the ballot papers to reflect the inclusion of the SDP candidate," the commission said.
INEC has urged political parties, candidates and voters to remain calm and assured them of its commitment to conducting a free, fair and credible election. "The Commission assures political parties, candidates, and the general public of its commitment to conducting a free, fair, and credible election in Osun State," the statement read.
The Osun governorship election is scheduled to hold on Saturday, August 15, 2026. Over 2.3 million registered voters are expected to cast their ballots across the state's 30 local government areas. Security agencies have deployed thousands of personnel to ensure a peaceful and orderly process.
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