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Federal High Court orders INEC to include SDP and its candidates in by-elections across 12 states, reversing initial exclusion
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INEC accepts candidates’ names and assures election will proceed as scheduled, despite the late ruling and plans to appeal
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has confirmed that the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and its candidates will now participate in Saturday’s by-elections, following a Federal High Court order.
In a statement on Friday, Sam Olumekun, INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, said the commission had received the judgment in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1525/2025 from the Abuja Division of the court. The ruling directed INEC to include the party and its candidates in the polls taking place across 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 by-elections,” Olumekun stated.
He explained that the SDP was initially excluded because it failed to submit a valid notice for the conduct of primaries, which meant its primaries were not monitored by the commission.
Olumekun assured that the late ruling would not disrupt the process, saying, “The 11th-hour judgment will not affect the election, which will proceed tomorrow, Saturday, 16th August 2025, as scheduled.”
He added that while INEC would comply with the order, it would also exercise its right to appeal under the law.
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