Court orders INEC to list SDP candidates in Saturday’s bye-elections

By Kunle Sanni –

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has confirmed that it will include Social Democratic Party (SDP) candidates in Saturday’s bye-elections across 12 states, following a Federal High Court order.

In a judgment delivered in Abuja (Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1525/2025), the court directed INEC to accept and publish the party’s candidates despite the SDP’s earlier failure to submit valid notices for the conduct of primaries, which the Commission did not monitor.

INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, said the Commission had complied with the ruling by publishing the names of SDP candidates on its website.

“The party will participate in the bye-elections. The Commission wishes to assure voters in the 12 states that this 11th-hour judgment will not affect the elections, which will proceed tomorrow, Saturday, 16th August 2025, as scheduled,” Olumekun stated.

He added that while INEC would obey the court order, it also intends to exercise its legal right of appeal.