INEC Includes SDP Candidates In By-Election After Court Order

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has confirmed the inclusion of Social Democratic Party (SDP) candidates in tomorrow’s by-elections following a court order.

In a statement on Friday, INEC National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, said the commission had received a judgment of the Federal High Court, Abuja Division, in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1525/2025, directing it to include the party and its candidates in the elections taking place in 12 states.

“In compliance with the judgement, the names of the candidates submitted manually have been accepted and published on our website. The party will participate in the bye-elections,” the statement read.

Olumekun explained that the SDP was initially excluded because it “did not earlier submit a valid notice for the conduct of primaries for the by-elections” and therefore its primaries were not monitored by the commission.

He assured voters that the court ruling would not disrupt the exercise.
“The 11th-hour judgement will not affect the election which will proceed tomorrow, Saturday 16th August 2025, as scheduled,” he said.
He added that the commission would also exercise its legitimate right of appeal under the law.