Ebenezer Adurokiya, Reporting
BARELY three days before the Osun State governorship election, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has confirmed the addition of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) candidate, Dr Francis Ajala, and his running mate, Faseke Babajimi Oladipo, to the ballot.
The development was announced in a statement by the National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Kudu Haruna.
It will be recalled that 14 political parties were initially recognised by the electoral body to participate in Saturday’s poll. The addition brings the total number of contesting parties to 15.
The commission said the decision followed a judgment of the Federal High Court, Abuja, delivered on 22 July 2026, in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/344/2026, which directed INEC to recognise, accept, upload, process and publish Ajala’s name and particulars as the SDP candidate.
The statement partly reads: “This action has been taken in compliance with the judgment of the Federal High Court, Abuja, delivered on 22nd July 2026 in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/344/2026, between Social Democratic Party and Dr. Francis Olugbenga Ajala on the one hand and the Independent National Electoral Commission 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.
“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 result sheets for the election are also being reproduced alongside the ballot papers to reflect the inclusion of the SDP candidate.”
INEC assured stakeholders that the reproduced ballot papers will arrive in Osun State on Thursday, 13 August 2026, and will, 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.
The commission further assured political parties, candidates and the general public of its commitment to conducting a free, fair and credible election in Osun State.
