The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has added the Social Democratic Party (SDP) candidate, Francis Ajala, and his running mate, Faseke Oladipo, to the ballot for Saturday’s Osun State governorship election.
The development brings the number of political parties participating in the August 15 poll to 15, with the electoral commission moving to implement a Federal High Court judgment delivered less than four weeks before the election.
INEC said the inclusion followed a ruling by the Federal High Court in Abuja on July 22, 2026, in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/344/2026 involving the SDP and Ajala against the commission.
According to INEC, the court directed it to recognise, accept, upload, process and publish Ajala’s name and particulars as the SDP candidate for the election.
With the court order now being implemented, INEC said it had commenced the reproduction of ballot papers to accommodate the SDP candidate.
“Consequently, the ballot papers for the election, scheduled to hold on Saturday, 15th August 2026, are being reproduced to reflect this addition, bringing to 15 the total number of political parties contesting the election,” the commission said.
The result sheets will also be reproduced to reflect the change, according to a statement issued by Mohammed Kudu Haruna, National Commissioner and Chairman of INEC’s Information and Voter Education Committee.
The commission said the newly reproduced ballot papers would arrive in Osun State on Thursday, August 13, before being distributed to local government offices across the state in accordance with its established procedure.
The move comes just two days before voters are scheduled to go to the polls, adding a late twist to preparations for the governorship contest.
INEC said the inclusion of the SDP candidate was strictly in compliance with the court’s directive and assured all participating parties, candidates and voters that it remained committed to conducting a free, fair and credible election.
The commission’s decision means voters will now encounter 15 political parties on the ballot when they cast their votes on Saturday.
The development also underscores the impact of ongoing legal challenges on the electoral process, with the commission having to make significant logistical adjustments shortly before election day to comply with the court ruling.
With ballot and result sheets being reproduced and redistributed across the state, attention will now turn to the final preparations for what promises to be a closely watched governorship election in Osun.
