The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has confirmed that candidates of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) will now participate in Saturday’s bye-elections in 12 states, following a Federal High Court ruling in Abuja.
In a statement issued on Friday by National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, INEC said the court, in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1525/2025, ordered the inclusion of the SDP and its candidates in the polls.
INEC noted that the party was initially excluded from the elections because it failed to submit a valid notice for the conduct of primaries, which prevented the commission from monitoring the process.
“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.
The commission assured voters that the last-minute decision would not disrupt the polls scheduled for Saturday, 16 August 2025, across the affected states.
However, INEC added that it would exercise its legal right to appeal the judgement.
