INEC Bows to Court Order, Includes SDP Candidates in Saturday’s By-Elections

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has confirmed it will include all candidates of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Saturday’s by-elections following a Federal High Court order delivered barely 48 hours to the polls.

The ruling, issued in Abuja on Thursday, August 14, 2025, directed INEC to accept the party’s manually submitted candidates’ list and ensure both their names and the SDP logo appear on all election materials.

The judgment came after the party challenged its exclusion from the by-elections scheduled to hold across 12 states on August 16.

INEC, in a statement on Friday, announced that it had updated its website to reflect the SDP candidates and complied with the directive. However, the commission indicated it would appeal the ruling, arguing that the late court decision posed logistical challenges, particularly with ballot printing and distribution already in motion.

One of the most prominent cases affected by the order is in Oyo State, where the court separately directed INEC to list Dr. Islamiyat Abdulkadir, the SDP candidate for the Ibadan North Federal Constituency by-election, on the ballot. This development now clears the path for her and other SDP aspirants nationwide to contest in the polls.

The sudden inclusion of the party is expected to intensify competition in several constituencies. Political observers say it could potentially alter outcomes, especially in closely contested areas. The case also underscores the judiciary’s growing role in determining the final shape of Nigeria’s electoral contests.

With just hours to voting, attention now shifts to how INEC will navigate the logistical adjustments required, as well as the political impact of the SDP’s return to the ballot in multiple states.