Court Judgment: INEC Announces Inclusion of SDP Candidates for Bye-Elections Few Hours To Commencement (See Full List; Press Statement)

INDEPENDENT NATIONAL ELECTORAL COMMISSION 

PRESS RELEASE

INCLUSION OF SOCIAL DEMOCRATIC PARTY (SDP) CANDIDATES FOR BYE-ELECTIONS 

The Commission has been served with the judgement of the Federal High Court, Abuja Division, in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1525/2025. In the judgement, the Commission was ordered to include the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and its candidates in the bye-elections in 12 States of the Federation. 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.

However, 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 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.

Meanwhile, the Commission will exercise its legitimate right of appeal under the law.

Sam Olumekun mni
National Commissioner and Chairman, Information & Voter Education Committee
Friday 15th August 2025