The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced the inclusion of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) candidate, Dr. Francis Olugbenga Ajala, and his running mate, Faseke Babajimi Oladipo, on the ballot for the August 15, 2026 Osun State governorship election.
The commission disclosed this in a press release signed by its National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Kudu Haruna, on Wednesday.
According to INEC, the decision followed a judgment delivered by the Federal High Court, Abuja, on July 22, 2026, in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/344/2026, involving the SDP and Ajala against the electoral commission.
The commission said the court ordered it to “forthwith recognise, accept, upload, process and publish the name and particulars” of Ajala as the SDP governorship candidate.
INEC explained that following the judgment, the ballot papers for the election were being reproduced to accommodate the SDP candidate, bringing the total number of political parties contesting the election to 15.
It also said the result sheets for the election were being reproduced alongside the ballot papers to reflect the inclusion of the SDP candidate.
The electoral body stated that the newly reproduced ballot papers would arrive in Osun State on Thursday, August 13, 2026, and would be moved to Local Government Area offices across the state the same day, in line with its standard distribution procedure ahead of the election.
INEC assured political parties, candidates and the electorate of its commitment to conducting a “free, fair, and credible election” in Osun State.