INEC Adds SDP Candidate Ajala To Osun Governorship Ballot After Court Judgment.

INEC Adds SDP Candidate Ajala To Osun Governorship Ballot After Court Judgment.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has confirmed the inclusion of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) candidate, Dr. Francis Olugbenga Ajala, and his running mate, Faseke Babajimi Oladipo, in the ballot for the Osun State Governorship Election scheduled for Saturday, August 15, 2026.

The Commission disclosed this in a statement issued on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, by Mohammed Kudu Haruna, National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee.

INEC said the decision 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, in a case involving the Social Democratic Party and Dr. Francis Olugbenga Ajala against the Commission.

The court ordered INEC to forthwith recognise, accept, upload, process and publish the name and particulars of Ajala as the candidate of the Social Democratic Party for the election.

Following the judgment, the Commission said the ballot papers for the August 15 election are being reproduced to reflect the inclusion of the SDP candidate.

The development brings the total number of political parties contesting the Osun State Governorship Election to 15.

INEC also disclosed that the result sheets for the election are being reproduced alongside the ballot papers to reflect the addition of the SDP candidate.

According to the Commission, the reproduced ballot papers are expected to arrive in Osun State on Thursday, August 13, 2026. The materials will subsequently be moved to Local Government Area offices across the state in line with INEC’s standard distribution procedure ahead of the election.

The electoral body assured political parties, candidates and the general public of its commitment to conducting a free, fair and credible governorship election in Osun State.