The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has released the final list of cleared political parties and their candidates for the Osun State governorship election, scheduled for August 15, 2026, with the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and the Labour Party (LP) notably absent from the approved roster.
In a statement issued by Musa Olurode, INEC’s Public Relations Officer in Osun State on behalf of the Resident Electoral Commissioner, the commission confirmed that 14 political parties successfully completed their primaries and uploaded the required names, particulars, and documents of their governorship candidates and running mates within the stipulated deadline.
The publication of the final list of candidates is in line with the timetable and schedule of activities released by the Commission ahead of the election,” Olurode said.
The parties cleared for the election include Accord (A), Action Alliance (AA), African Action Congress (AAC), African Democratic Congress (ADC), Action Democratic Party (ADP), All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), All Progressives Congress (APC), Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Action Peoples Party (APP), Boot Party (BP), New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), Young Progressive Party (YPP), and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP).
Olurode noted that the list reflects parties that successfully completed their primaries and uploaded the names and particulars of their candidates, including running mates, within the stipulated deadline.
“Last month, we confirmed that only 14 parties successfully completed their primaries and uploaded the names and particulars of their candidates within the stipulated deadline,” he added.
The absence of the PDP and LP from the list has drawn attention ahead of what is expected to be a highly competitive governorship race in Osun State.