INEC Alters Osun Governorship Election Ballot to Include SDP's FRANCIS OLUGBENGA AJALA

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has included the candidate of the Social Democratic Party in Osun State, FRANCIS OLUGBENGA AJALA, and his running mate, FASEKE BABAJIMI OLADIPO, in the ballot for the governorship election this Saturday, August 15, 2026.

INEC’s National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, MOHAMMED KUDU HARUNA, said the commission made the decision, which comes three days to the election, in compliance with the judgment of the Federal High Court in Abuja, on July 22, 2026.

The judgement was delivered in a suit filed by the SDP and FRANCIS OLUGBENGA AJALA against INEC and others, in which the court ordered the commission to recognise, accept, upload, process and publish the name and particulars of the SDP governorship candidate.

Following the development, the INEC National Commissioner, MOHAMMED KUDU HARUNA, said the ballot papers for the Osun State election are being reproduced to reflect the addition, which now puts the total number of candidates at fifteen.

In a statement confirming the development, HARUNA said the result sheets for the election are also being reproduced alongside the ballot papers to reflect the inclusion of the SDP candidate.

“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.

“INEC assures political parties, candidates, and the general public of its commitment to conducting a free, fair, and credible election in Osun State.”