INEC adds SDP to Osun governorship election ballot
By Mercy Ajekigbe
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has added the candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Dr. Francis Olugbenga Ajala, and his running mate, Faseke Babajimi Oladipo, to the ballot for the Osun State governorship election scheduled for Saturday, August 15, 2026.
The development follows a judgment delivered by the Federal High Court, Abuja on July 22, 2026, in the case involving INEC and the SDP.
The dispute began after INEC reportedly refused to recognise SDP and its candidate for the Osun State governorship election, linking to claims of internal leadership crisis. However, following a series of legal proceedings and appeals, the commission has now recognised him and included his name on the ballot, in compliance with the court’s judgment.
INEC announced the development in a statement signed by its National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Haruna, and published on the commission’s official X handle.
“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,” the commission stated.
According to INEC, the ballot papers are being reproduced to accommodate Ajala and his running mate. The development brings the number of political parties participating in the election from 14 to 15.
The commission further disclosed that the reproduced ballot papers are expected to arrive in Osun State on Thursday, August 13, 2026, and will be distributed the same day to Local Government Area offices across the state, in line with its standard distribution procedures ahead of the election.
The decision has, however, attracted criticism from some quarters, particularly because it comes just three days before the Osun State governorship election.
