WED AUG 12 2026-theGBJournal| The Social Democratic Party’s candidate for Saturday’s Osun governorship election, Dr. Francis Olugbenga Ajala, has been restored to the ballot after a court ruling forced Nigeria’s electoral commission to recognise his candidacy.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said on Wednesday it had added Ajala and his running mate, Faseke Babajimi Oladipo, to the ballot, in compliance with a July 22 judgment of the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The ruling ordered INEC to recognise, accept, upload, process and publish Ajala’s nomination as the SDP candidate, bringing an end to a legal fight over his participation in the Aug. 15 election.
INEC said it was now reproducing the ballot papers and result sheets to include the SDP ticket, taking the number of parties contesting the election to 15.
The late addition gives Ajala a place in an election already marked by intense political competition and legal wrangling, with the court victory ensuring that voters will see the SDP candidate’s name when they go to the polls.
The Commission said 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.
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