By SCM Correspondent l August 12, 2026
ABUJA, Nigeria— The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has officially updated the ballot for the upcoming Osun State Governorship Election scheduled for Saturday, August 15, 2026, following the inclusion of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) candidate, Dr. Francis Olugbenga Ajala, and his running mate, Faseke Babajimi Oladipo
This development brings the total number of political parties participating in the high-stakes Osun governorship contest to fifteen (15).
According to an official press statement released on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, by National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Kudu Haruna, the electoral body’s decision follows a binding judgment delivered by the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Compliance with Federal High Court Order
The commission explained that the decision to add the SDP candidates to the ballot was taken in strict obedience to the judgment of the Federal High Court, Abuja, delivered on July 22, 2026, in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/344/2026.
The suit was instituted by the Social Democratic Party and Dr. Francis Olugbenga Ajala against the Independent National Electoral Commission. In its ruling, the court ordered INEC to forthwith recognize, accept, upload, process, and publish the name and particulars of Dr. Ajala as the duly nominated governorship candidate of the SDP for the election.
”This action has been taken in compliance with the judgment of the Federal High Court, Abuja, delivered on 22nd July 2026 in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/344/2026,” the INEC statement read. “The Court had ordered the Commission to forthwith recognise, accept, upload, process and publish the name and particulars of Dr. Francis Olugbenga Ajala as the candidate of the Social Democratic Party.”
To give practical effect to the judicial directive, INEC confirmed that all sensitive election materials—specifically ballot papers and official result sheets—are being reproduced to reflect the SDP’s participation.
The electoral umpire revealed that the modified sensitive materials are scheduled to arrive in Osun State on Thursday, August 13, 2026. Upon arrival, the items will immediately be deployed to INEC offices across all 30 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in the state, in adherence to standard security and logistics distribution protocols ahead of Saturday’s poll.
”Consequently, the ballot papers for the election, scheduled to hold on Saturday, 15th August 2026, are being reproduced to reflect this addition, bringing to fifteen (15) the total number of political parties contesting the election.
The result sheets for the election are also being reproduced alongside the ballot papers to reflect the inclusion of the SDP candidate,” Haruna stated.
The statement further noted: “The Commission wishes to inform the public that the reproduced ballot papers will arrive in Osun State on Thursday, 13th August 2026, and will, same day, be moved to Local Government Area offices across the State, in line with its standard distribution procedure ahead of the election.”
Reassurance on Free, Fair, and Credible Election
Closing the statement, the electoral body reaffirmed its determination to administer an impartial, transparent, and credible election process in Osun State, assuring voters, participating political parties, candidates, and civil society organizations of a level playing field.
”INEC assures political parties, candidates, and the general public of its commitment to conducting a free, fair, and credible election in Osun State,” the Commission concluded.
With the addition of Dr. Francis Olugbenga Ajala and Faseke Babajimi Oladipo to the roster, voters in Osun State will now choose from 15 political party platforms as they head to the polls on Saturday.
