Osun Poll: INEC Adds SDP Candidate to Ballot, 15 Parties Now in Race

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has added the Social Democratic Party (SDP) candidate, Dr Francis Olugbenga Ajala, and his running mate, Faseke Babajimi Oladipo, to the ballot for the August 15 Osun State governorship election.

INEC disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday, saying the decision followed a judgment of the Federal High Court in Abuja delivered on July 22, 2026, in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/344/2026.

The court had directed INEC to recognise, accept, upload, process and publish Ajala’s name and particulars as the SDP governorship candidate.

Following the judgment, the commission said it was reproducing the ballot papers and result sheets to reflect the inclusion of the SDP candidate, bringing the number of political parties contesting the election to 15.

INEC said, “The candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) for the Osun State Governorship Election, Dr. Francis Olugbenga Ajala and his running mate, Faseke Babajimi Oladipo, have been added to the ballot for the election.”

The commission said the reproduced ballot papers would arrive in Osun State on Thursday, August 13, and would be moved the same day to Local Government Area offices across the state in line with its standard distribution procedure.

The Osun governorship election is scheduled to hold on Saturday, August 15, 2026.

INEC assured political parties, candidates and the public of its commitment to conducting a free, fair and credible election in the state.