Osun poll: INEC adds SDP’s gov candidate Ajala to ballot

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The Independent National Electoral Commission has added the Social Democratic Party governorship candidate, Dr. Francis Ajala, and his running mate, Faseke Oladipo, to the ballot for the Osun State governorship election.

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

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INEC said the decision followed a judgment of the Federal High Court, Abuja, delivered on July 22, 2026, in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/344/2026, involving the SDP, Ajala and the electoral commission.

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According to the commission, the court ordered it to “forthwith recognise, accept, upload, process and publish” the name and particulars of Ajala as the SDP candidate for the election.

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In a statement issued on Wednesday by the National Commissioner and Chairman of INEC’s Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Haruna, the commission said the ballot papers were being reproduced to reflect the court-ordered inclusion.

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The development brings the number of political parties contesting the election to 15.

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INEC also said the result sheets for the election were being reproduced alongside the ballot papers to reflect the inclusion of the SDP candidate.

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“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,” the statement said.

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INEC said the distribution would be carried out in line with its standard procedure ahead of the election.

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The commission further assured political parties, candidates and voters of its commitment to conducting a free, fair and credible election in Osun State.

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“The Commission wishes to inform the public of the development, the statement added, stressing that the updated electoral materials would be deployed ahead of Saturday’s poll.

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