The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has included the Social Democratic Party (SDP) candidate, Francis Olugbenga Alaja, and his running mate, Faseke Babajimi Oladipo, on the ballot for Saturday’s governorship election in Osun State.

National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Commission of the Commission, Mohammed Haruna, said in a statement that the inclusion of Ajala on the ballot followed a judgment of the Federal High Court in Abuja.

The statement, issued a few days before the election, said, “The action has been taken in compliance with the judgment of the Federal High Court, Abuja, delivered on 22nd July 2026 in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/344/2026, between Social Democratic Party and Dr. Francis Olugbenga Ajala on the one hand and the Independent National Electoral Commission on the other.

“The Court ordered the Commission to forthwith recognise, accept, upload, process and publish the name and particulars of Dr. Francis Olugbenga Ajala as the candidate of the Social Democratic Party.

“Consequently, the ballot papers for the election, scheduled to be held 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 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, on the 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.” (The Nation)