-
INEC complies with Federal High Court judgment, officially includes SDP candidate Dr. Francis Olugbenga Ajala and his running mate on the August 15 Osun governorship ballot.
-
Electoral commission orders fresh printing of ballot papers and result sheets, raising the number of parties in the race to 15 barely days before the election.
-
Reproduced ballot papers expected in Osun on Thursday before immediate distribution to all 30 Local Government Areas ahead of Saturday’s poll.
-
INEC assures political parties and voters that despite the late adjustment, preparations remain on course for a free, fair, and credible governorship election.
August 12, (THEWILL) — The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has ordered a last-minute review of preparations for Saturday’s Osun State Governorship Election after officially adding the Social Democratic Party (SDP) governorship candidate, Dr. Francis Olugbenga Ajala, and his running mate, Faseke Babajimi Oladipo, to the ballot in compliance with a Federal High Court judgment.
The decision comes barely three days before the August 15 governorship election and compels the electoral umpire to reproduce ballot papers and result sheets to accommodate the SDP, increasing the number of political parties participating in the election from 14 to 15.
INEC disclosed the development in a statement issued on Wednesday by its National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Kudu Haruna.
According to the Commission, the action followed the judgment delivered by the Federal High Court in Abuja on July 22, 2026, in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/344/2026, filed by the Social Democratic Party and Dr. Ajala against INEC.
ALSO READ:
Osun Poll: Disu Deploys DIG Ishyaku Mohammed To Lead Police Security Operations, Warns Troublemakers
Osun Poll: Police Draw Red Line, Warn Political Thugs, Outlaw Non-State Security Groups Ahead Of August 15 Election
“Kill Accord&”; Video Lands APC Senator In Police Net As Osun Election Tension Boils Over
The court directed the Commission to immediately recognise, accept, upload, process, and publish the name and particulars of Dr. Ajala as the duly nominated governorship candidate of the SDP.
Quoting the judgment, INEC said the court ordered it 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.”
Fresh Ballot Papers, Result Sheets Ordered
Following the judgment, INEC said it had commenced the reproduction of ballot papers already printed for the election.
The Commission explained that the exercise also covers fresh result sheets to ensure that the SDP candidate is fully reflected in every stage of the electoral process.
INEC further disclosed that the newly printed ballot papers are expected to arrive in Osun State on Thursday, August 13, after which they will be immediately distributed to all Local Government Area offices across the state in accordance with its established logistics and electoral deployment timetable.
The Commission expressed confidence that the adjustment would not disrupt preparations for Saturday’s election.
INEC reaffirmed its commitment to conducting a transparent, peaceful, and credible governorship election despite the last-minute changes.
The Commission assured political parties, candidates, election observers, and the electorate that all necessary arrangements were being concluded to ensure the revised ballot papers and election materials reach their destinations before polling begins.
It reiterated that the electoral process would proceed as scheduled on Saturday, August 15, while urging stakeholders to continue cooperating with election officials.
Saturday’s Osun governorship election is one of Nigeria’s most closely watched off-cycle elections ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The poll has attracted heightened political activity, extensive deployment of security personnel, and close monitoring by election observers, with stakeholders repeatedly calling for a peaceful, transparent, and violence-free electoral process.
Felix Ifijeh is a journalist with years of professional reporting experience. Known for his keen news sense, compelling storytelling and commitment to accurate, impactful reporting, he has built a reputation for turning leads into clear, engaging, and well-structured reports that resonate with readers. His work reflects deep newsroom experience and a commitment to accurate, impactful journalism.
