The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has included the Social Democratic Party (SDP) governorship candidate, Dr Francis Olugbenga Ajala, and his running mate, Faseke Babajimi Oladipo, on the ballot for the upcoming Osun State governorship election.
The decision comes only days before the August 15, 2026, election and follows a judgment delivered by the Federal High Court in Abuja on July 22.
The court reportedly directed INEC to recognise and include Ajala as the SDP’s candidate after a legal dispute over his participation in the election.
Following the ruling, INEC said it had begun reproducing the ballot papers and result sheets to accommodate the SDP ticket. The commission stated that the updated materials are expected to arrive in Osun State on Thursday, August 13, ahead of the Saturday election.
With the inclusion of the SDP, 15 political parties will now have candidates contesting the governorship election.
The development has introduced a fresh twist to an election that is already attracting significant political attention. The late addition means voters, political parties and election officials will have to adjust to the updated electoral materials just days before polling.
For the SDP, the development represents a significant legal victory and gives Ajala an opportunity to directly seek the support of Osun voters at the polls.
INEC, meanwhile, faces the task of ensuring that all reproduced ballot papers and result sheets are properly distributed across the state before election day. The commission will also have to ensure that electoral officials are adequately informed about the changes.
The situation further highlights the role of the judiciary in Nigeria’s electoral process, where court decisions can influence the list of candidates even after major stages of election preparation have been completed.
As Osun State prepares for Saturday’s poll, attention will now focus on how the inclusion of the SDP candidate could affect the contest. With only a few days remaining, parties are expected to intensify their mobilisation efforts while voters prepare to make their choices.
The election will ultimately determine whether the last-minute addition of the SDP ticket will have any significant impact on the political contest in Osun State.
