The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has cleared 14 political parties to contest the August 8 governorship election in Osun State, while the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Labour Party (LP) were not cleared.
Mr Musa Olurode, INEC Public Relations Officer in the state, said only parties that successfully completed their primaries and uploaded the names and particulars of their candidates within the commission’s stipulated timeframe met the requirements for participation.
“Following the conclusion of political party primaries and the close of the period for uploading candidate details, 14 political parties successfully complied with the Commission’s requirements within the stipulated timeframe,” Olurode said in a statement.
The parties cleared to contest 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 explained that the personal particulars of candidates and their running mates, submitted via Form EC9, will be displayed at the INEC State Office, the 30 Local Government Area offices, and Area Offices across Osun starting Monday, February 16. He urged political parties, candidates, and members of the public to inspect the published documents, as provided by law.
Quoting the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Dr Mutiu Agboke, Olurode said INEC remains committed to transparency and professionalism in the conduct of elections. He called on all stakeholders to continue supporting the commission in fulfilling its constitutional mandate.
The exclusion of PDP and LP underscores the importance of compliance with INEC’s timelines and procedures, reinforcing the regulatory framework ahead of Osun State’s governorship poll. The election is expected to attract close attention, given the high political stakes and the growing influence of multiple parties in the region.
INEC’s publication of candidate details is part of its broader effort to ensure clarity, fairness, and accessibility in the electoral process, allowing voters to verify candidates and their running mates ahead of the August vote.