The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has added the candidate of Social Democratic Party (SDP) Francis Olugbenga, to the ballot for Saturday’s Osun State governorship election few days to the election day.
Penpushing reports that the electoral body announced the development on Wednesday, explaining that it acted in compliance with a judgement of the Federal High Court in Abuja, and with this, Olugbenga and his running mate, Faseke Babajimi, will now appear on the ballot after the court ordered the commission to recognise, accept, upload, process and publish the candidate’s details.
The National Commissioner and Chairman of the commission’s Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Haruna in a statement explained that the court judgement was delivered on July 22, 2026 in a suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/344/2026 between the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and Olugbenga on one side as well as Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on the other.
“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 commission said.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) disclosed that the ballot papers for the election were being reproduced to reflect the inclusion of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) candidate.
Penpushing further reports that with the addition of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), candidates, 15 political parties will contest Saturday’s Osun state governorship election, including incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke, who is seeking re-election.
The electoral commission said the newly reproduced ballot papers would arrive in Osun State on Thursday, 13 August, and move to the commission’s Local Government Area offices across the state.
“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,” the statement read.
Penpushing also reports that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), however, assured political parties, candidates and the public of its commitment to conducting a free, fair and credible election in Osun State.
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