The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has added the Social Democratic Party (SDP) candidate, Francis Olugbenga, to the ballot for Saturday's Osun State governorship election, increasing the number of political parties contesting the poll from 14 to 15. The commission announced the development on Wednesday, just three days before the state's 15 August election, saying it acted in compliance with a judgement of the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Mr Olugbenga and his running mate, Faseke Babajimi, will now appear on the ballot after the court ordered INEC to recognise, accept, upload, process and publish the candidate's details. In a press release signed by Mohammed Haruna, National Commissioner and Chairman of INEC's Information and Voter Education Committee, the commission said the court judgement was delivered on 22 July in a suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/344/2026 between the SDP and Mr Olugbenga on one side and INEC on the other.
Ballot Papers Reproduced to Reflect Addition
“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 commission also said the ballot papers for the election were being reproduced to reflect the inclusion of the SDP candidate.
The commission's statement emphasised that the reproduction was necessary to ensure the ballot accurately represents all legally qualified candidates. The addition follows the court's directive, which mandated INEC to include the SDP candidate's details in the electoral process.
New Ballot Papers to Arrive Thursday
With the election only three days away, INEC 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 Thursdey, 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.
The commission assured political parties, candidates and the public of its commitment to conducting a free, fair and credible election in Osun State. The state's 15 August governorship election includes 15 political parties, including the incumbent governor, Ademola Adeleke, who is seeking re-election.
The inclusion of the SDP candidate brings the total number of contestants to 15, with the election now featuring a broader field of candidates. INEC's adherence to the court ruling underscores the legal framework governing the electoral process, ensuring all court-ordered changes are implemented before the polls.
