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

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has officially added Dr. Francis Ajala, the governorship candidate for the Social Democratic Party (SDP), to the ballot for the upcoming Osun State governorship election. This inclusion comes after a Federal High Court in Abuja issued a judgment on July 22, 2026, in a case involving the SDP, Ajala, and the electoral commission.

“

forthwith recognise, accept, upload, process and publish

The court's directive was clear: INEC was ordered to "forthwith recognise, accept, upload, process and publish" Ajala's name and particulars as the legitimate SDP candidate. In response, INEC confirmed that ballot papers are currently being reproduced to reflect this court-ordered change. This development increases the total number of political parties contesting the election to 15.

According to a statement released on Wednesday by Mohammed Haruna, National Commissioner and Chairman of INEC’s Information and Voter Education Committee, the reproduced ballot papers are scheduled to arrive in Osun State on Thursday, August 13, 2026. They will be promptly moved to local government area offices across the state on the same day, following INEC's standard distribution procedures.

“

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.

INEC assured all political parties, candidates, and voters of its unwavering commitment to conducting a free, fair, and credible election in Osun State. The commission stressed that the updated electoral materials, including both ballot papers and result sheets, will be deployed well in advance of the Saturday poll, ensuring all necessary preparations are in place.

“

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