The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has bowed to Court order urging the Commission to included the candidate of Social Democratic Party (SDP), Dr. Francis Olugbenga Ajala and his running mate, Faseke Babajimi Oladipo, in the coming Saturday Osun State Governorship election.
In a statement issued and signed by the National Commissioner, Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee Mohammed Kudu Haruna on Tuesday, said, the action was 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 in its judgement had therefore, ordered the Commission to forthwith recognised, 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.
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The Commission therefore wished 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.
It assured Political Parties, Candidates, and the general public of its commitment to conducting a free, fair, and credible election in Osun State come Saturday.
