By Daily Review Online
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has included the Social Democratic Party (SDP) governorship candidate, Francis Olugbenga Ajala, and his running mate, Faseke Babajimi Oladipo, on the ballot for Saturday’s governorship election in Osun State.
National Commissioner and Chairman of INEC’s Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Haruna, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday, saying the decision followed a judgment of the Federal High Court in Abuja.
According to Haruna, the court, in its judgment delivered on July 22, 2026, in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/344/2026, ordered INEC to recognise, accept, upload, process and publish Ajala’s name and particulars as the SDP governorship candidate.
He said the Commission had consequently commenced the reproduction of the ballot papers for the election to reflect the inclusion of Ajala and his running mate.
The development brings the number of political parties participating in the August 15 governorship election to 15.
INEC also said the result sheets for the election were being reproduced to reflect the addition of the SDP candidate.
The Commission disclosed that the reproduced ballot papers would arrive in Osun State on Thursday, August 13, and would subsequently be distributed to Local Government Area offices across the state in line with its standard electoral procedure.
INEC assured political parties, candidates and the electorate of its commitment to conducting a free, fair and credible governorship election in Osun State.