Labour Party Concludes Primaries for June 20 By-Elections, Maku, Eze Others Emerge Candidates
The Labour Party has concluded its primaries ahead of the June 20, 2026 by-elections scheduled by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to fill vacant legislative seats across the country.
The party announced that former Minister of Information, Labaran Maku, emerged as its candidate for the Nasarawa North Senatorial District by-election through a consensus arrangement.
According to a statement issued on Tuesday by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Ken Eluma Asogwa, the primary election for Nasarawa North was held at the party’s zonal office and witnessed a large turnout of party members and supporters who endorsed Maku’s candidature.
The party also announced that seasoned diplomat, Simon Ejike Eze, emerged as the Labour Party candidate for the Enugu North Senatorial District through what it described as a peaceful and rancour-free consensus process.
Party faithful from across the senatorial district reportedly turned out in large numbers to affirm his candidature ahead of the by-election.
Other candidates who emerged through the consensus arrangement include Engr. Sam Kinanee for Rivers South-East Senatorial District, Barrister Ige Aiyeobasan Asemudara for Ondo South Senatorial District, Abubakar Yahaya Muhammad for Dawaki Kudu/Warawa Federal Constituency in Kano State, and Muhammad Aliyu Galadima for the Zuru State Constituency by-election in Kebbi State.
The party explained that the by-elections became necessary following vacancies created by deaths and resignation of lawmakers representing the affected districts and constituencies.
It recalled that the seats for Enugu North, Nasarawa North and Rivers South-East Senatorial Districts became vacant following the deaths of the senators representing the districts in the current 10th Senate.
According to the statement, former Enugu North Senator, Okey Ezea, died in a Lagos hospital on November 18, 2025 at the age of 62 after a brief illness.
The Labour Party described Ezea as the only elected office holder in Enugu State who remained loyal to the party despite the wave of defections that affected the party last year.
Similarly, the party stated that former Nasarawa North Senator, Godiya Akwashiki, died on December 31, 2025 at the age of 52 after a prolonged illness.
It also noted that Senator Barinada Mpigi passed away on February 18, 2026 at the age of 64.
In Ondo South Senatorial District, the seat became vacant following the resignation of Senator Jimoh Ibrahim after his appointment by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations.
The Labour Party commended INEC for what it described as professionalism and diligence in monitoring the primaries, noting that the exercises were conducted peacefully and transparently across the affected constituencies.
The party congratulated all the successful candidates and urged members, supporters and residents of the affected districts to rally behind them ahead of the June 20 by-elections.
It further reiterated its commitment to the principles of social democracy, equal opportunity and social justice, adding that the candidates were selected based on competence, integrity and commitment to the ideals of the party.
