By Abiodun Folarin
WorldStage— The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has included the Social Democratic Party (SDP) candidate, Dr. Francis Ajala, and his running mate, Faseke Oladipo, on the ballot for the Osun State Governorship Election scheduled for Saturday, August 15, 2026.
INEC said the decision followed a judgment of the Federal High Court, Abuja, delivered on July 22, 2026, in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/344/2026 between the SDP and Ajala and the Commission.
According to the Commission, the court ordered it to immediately recognise, accept, upload, process and publish Ajala’s name and particulars as the SDP governorship candidate.
Consequently, INEC said it is reproducing the ballot papers for the election to reflect the addition, bringing the number of political parties contesting the poll to 15.
The Commission added that the result sheets for the election would also be reproduced to accommodate the inclusion of the SDP candidate.
It said the reproduced ballot papers are expected to arrive in Osun State on Thursday, August 13, and would be distributed the same day to Local Government Area offices across the state in line with its standard distribution procedure.
INEC assured political parties, candidates and voters of its commitment to conducting a free, fair and credible governorship election in the state.
The statement was signed by Mohammed Kudu Haruna, National Commissioner and Chairman of INEC’s Information and Voter Education Committee, on August 12, 2026.
