The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has included the Social Democratic Party (SDP) candidate, Francis Ajala, and his running mate, Faseke Oladipo, in the ballot for Saturday’s Osun State governorship election.
The development brings the number of political parties participating in the poll to 15.
INEC said the inclusion followed a judgment delivered by the Federal High Court in Abuja on July 22, 2026, in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/344/2026 involving the SDP and Ajala as plaintiffs and the electoral commission as defendant.
According to the commission, the court directed it to recognise and accept Ajala as the SDP candidate and to upload, process and publish his name and other details for the election.
INEC said it had consequently commenced the reproduction of the ballot papers to accommodate the SDP candidate ahead of the August 15 poll.
It added that the result sheets were also being reproduced to reflect the change.
The commission disclosed this in a statement issued on Wednesday by Mohammed Kudu Haruna, National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee.
INEC said the updated ballot papers are expected to arrive in Osun State on Thursday, August 13, before being distributed to its local government offices across the state in accordance with its established procedure.
The electoral body reaffirmed its commitment to conducting a free, fair and credible governorship election in Osun State.
