Nigeria adds SDP candidate to Osun election ballot days before vote

Nigeria's Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has added the Social Democratic Party (SDP) candidate, Francis Olugbenga, to the ballot for the upcoming Osun State governorship election, increasing the number of contesting parties to 15. This development occurred just three days before the scheduled August 15 election.

INEC announced the addition on Wednesday, stating it was in compliance with a judgment from the Federal High Court in Abuja. The court had ordered INEC to recognize, accept, process, and publish the candidate's details, along with those of his running mate, Faseke Babajimi.

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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 court's decision was delivered on July 22 in a suit filed by the SDP and Olugbenga against INEC. Consequently, INEC confirmed that ballot papers for the election are being reproduced to reflect the inclusion of the SDP candidate. The commission assured the public of its commitment to conducting a free, fair, and credible election in Osun State.

New ballot papers are expected to arrive in Osun State on Thursday, August 13, and will be distributed to the commission's Local Government Area offices across the state. The election features incumbent governor Ademola Adeleke, who is seeking re-election, alongside candidates from 15 political parties.

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The reproduced ballot papers will arrive in Osun State on Thursdey, 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.