The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has added the Social Democratic Party (SDP) governorship candidate, Dr. Francis Olugbenga Ajala, to the ballot for the 2026 Osun State governorship election.
The development comes just three days before the election scheduled for Saturday, August 15, 2026, following a court order directing the electoral commission to include the SDP candidate in the election.
Ajala’s running mate, Faseke Babajimi Oladipo, has also been included on the ballot.
INEC Adds SDP to Osun Governorship Ballot
According to reports, INEC confirmed that it had complied with the court order by adding the SDP candidates to the ballot for Saturday’s governorship election.
The development changes the field of candidates contesting the Osun governorship election, bringing the number of political parties on the ballot to 15.
The commission has also moved to reproduce the relevant ballot papers and result sheets to accommodate the newly included SDP candidate.
Who Is Francis Ajala?
Francis Olugbenga Ajala is the governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Osun State.
His inclusion in the election gives voters another option as political parties and candidates make their final preparations ahead of Saturday’s poll.
The development also adds another layer to an already closely watched election in Osun State.
What the Development Means for the Election
The late inclusion of the SDP candidate means voters will now see the party and its candidate represented on the ballot.
With only three days remaining before voting, political parties and their supporters are expected to intensify their final mobilisation efforts while voters prepare for election day.
INEC’s decision follows the judicial process and is part of the commission’s preparations to ensure that the court directive is reflected in the election materials.
Osun Governorship Election Date
The Osun State governorship election is scheduled to hold on Saturday, August 15, 2026.
The election will determine who governs Osun State for the next term, with incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke among the major contenders.
With the SDP now included, voters will have 15 political parties contesting the governorship election.
Final Thoughts
The inclusion of Francis Ajala and the SDP just days before the Osun governorship election is one of the major developments to emerge ahead of Saturday’s poll.
INEC’s compliance with the court order means the SDP candidate and his running mate will now appear on the ballot, giving voters another choice in the election.
As Osun prepares for Saturday’s election, NaijaGrove will continue to bring readers the latest updates, candidate developments, voting information and election results.
Stay connected with NaijaGrove for more Osun Election 2026 news and live updates.