The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced the inclusion of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and its candidates in tomorrow’s by-elections across 12 states.
The decision followed the judgment of the Federal High Court, Abuja Division.
In Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1525/2025, Hon. Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Abuja, in a ruling on Thursday, ordered the Commission to accept and publish the names of SDP candidates.
INEC’s National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, who disclosed this in a statement, said the candidates’ names, submitted manually, have now been uploaded on the Commission’s website.
He said the Commission is respecting the court order despite the party’s earlier failure to submit a valid notice for the conduct of primaries, which he said meant INEC did not monitor the process.
He assured voters that the “11th-hour” judgment would not disrupt the by-elections in 2025, even as he hinted that INEC intends to exercise its right of appeal.
The statement reads: “The Commission has been served with the judgment of the Federal High Court, Abuja Division, in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1525/2025. In the judgment, the Commission was ordered to include the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and its candidates in the by-elections in 12 states of the Federation.
“The party did not earlier submit a valid notice for the conduct of primaries for the by-elections. For this reason, they were not monitored by the Commission.
“However, in compliance with the judgment, the names of the candidates submitted manually have been accepted and published on our website. The party will participate in the by-elections.
“The Commission wishes to assure the public, especially voters in the 12 states, that the 11th-hour judgment will not affect the election, which will proceed tomorrow, Saturday, August 16, 2025, as scheduled.
“Meanwhile, the Commission will exercise its legitimate right of appeal under the law.”
The SDP candidates list as published by INEC on Friday includes: Chikaelo Emmanuel Chigozie, contesting for the Anambra South Senatorial District; Idumonza Isidahomhen, contesting for the Edo Central Senatorial District; and Yushau Alassan, seeking election for the Babura/Garki Federal Constituency in Jigawa State.
Others in the race include Washiri Maikaratu Jonathan for the Chikun/Kajuru Federal Constituency in Kaduna State; Danbala Usman for the Basawa State Constituency in Kaduna; and Abdullahi Nuhu Sada, contesting the Zaria Kewaye State Constituency, also in Kaduna.
Others are Usman Musa for the Shanono/Bagwai State Constituency in Kano State; Rilwan Mudi for the Okura State Constituency in Kogi State; and Yahaya Umar, contesting for the Munya State Constituency in Niger State.
Also in the contest are Ogunkoya Adetayo Adeniji for the Ikenne/Shagamu Remo North Federal Constituency in Ogun State; Abdulkadir Islamiyat Oluwatoyin for the Ibadan North Federal Constituency in Oyo State; Abubakar Jamilu Dauda for the Karim Lamido 1 State Constituency in Taraba State; and Lauwali Hassan for the Kaura Namoda South State Constituency in Zamfara State.
