FHC Orders INEC to Recognize Ajala as SDP Candidate

On Wednesday, the Federal High Court in Abuja ruled in favor of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), directing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognize Dr. Adebayo Ajala as the party's sole candidate for the Osun State governorship election set for August 8, 2026.

This announcement was made by the National Chairman of the SDP, Prof. Sodiq Abubakar Gombe, during a briefing at the party's national headquarters in Abuja.

Gombe described the court's judgment as a significant victory for the party's leadership and expressed the expectation that INEC would respect the court's decision. He indicated that the party had overcome previous distractions and was awaiting the Certified True Copy of the judgment to serve to INEC.

This ruling comes after a previous judgment on June 24, 2026, which recognized Salawu-Adeniyi Mustapha Olaitan as a candidate endorsed by the former SDP National Chairman, Shehu Gabam. The court had also adjourned a case against Gabam regarding alleged misappropriation until next month.