The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has confirmed that candidates of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) will now participate in the by-elections scheduled for Saturday, August 16, 2025, across 12 states.
The decision follows a judgment of the Federal High Court, Abuja Division, in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1525/2025, which ordered INEC to recognise the SDP and its candidates in the polls.
Announcing the development in a statement on Friday, INEC National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, explained that the party was initially excluded from the by-elections for failing to submit a valid notice for the conduct of primaries, a prerequisite for the Commission’s monitoring as required by law.
“The party did not earlier submit a valid notice for the conduct of primaries for the bye-elections. For this reason, they were not monitored by the commission,” Olumekun said.
He, however, disclosed that in compliance with the court order, the names of SDP candidates—submitted manually—have now been accepted and published on INEC’s website.
Despite the last-minute inclusion, Olumekun assured Nigerians that the elections would proceed as planned.
“The commission wishes to assure the public, especially voters in the 12 States, that the 11th-hour judgement will not affect the election which will proceed tomorrow, Saturday 16th August 2025, as scheduled,” he stated.
INEC also indicated its intention to challenge the ruling through legal channels.
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“Meanwhile, the commission will exercise its legitimate right of appeal under the law,” Olumekun added.
The by-elections will hold in 16 constituencies across 12 states, with all political activities concluded by midnight on Thursday as parties and candidates rounded off their campaigns
