Odimmegwa Johnpeter/Abuja
In compliance with the timetable released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the conduct of the by-elections scheduled for 20th June 2026 to fill vacancies in various constituencies across the federation, the Labour Party on Monday successfully conducted its primaries to produce candidates for the coming by-elections. This was contained in a statement signed by Ken Eluma Asogwa, National Publicity Secretary, All Progressives Congress (APC).
At the primary election held at the party’s zonal office in Nasarawa North, former Minister of Information, Labaran Maku, emerged as the party’s candidate through a consensus arrangement. The exercise attracted a large turnout of party faithful who gathered to affirm his candidacy for the forthcoming Nasarawa North Senatorial District by-election.
Similarly, in Enugu North Senatorial District, seasoned diplomat, Amb. Simon Ejike Eze emerged as the party’s candidate through a peaceful and rancour-free consensus process. Party members from across the senatorial district turned out in large numbers to endorse his candidature ahead of the by-election.
Other candidates who emerged through the same consensus process are 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.
It would be 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 three districts in the current 10th Senate, while that of Ondo South became vacant as a result of the resignation of the erstwhile senator representing the district.
In Enugu North, Senator Okey Ezea passed away in a Lagos hospital on 18th November 2025 at the age of 62 after a brief illness. Until his death, he remained the only elected office holder in Enugu State elected on the platform of the Labour Party who stayed faithful to the party despite the wave of defections that affected the party last year.
Also, in Nasarawa North, Senator Godiya Akwashiki died on 31st December 2025 at the age of 52 after a prolonged illness, while Senator Barinada Mpigi, who represented Rivers South-East Senatorial District, passed away on 18th February 2026 at the age of 64. In Ondo South, the Senate, on 28th April, declared the seat of Senator Jimoh Ibrahim vacant following his appointment by President Bola Tinubu as Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations.
The Labour Party commends the INEC for its professionalism and diligence in monitoring the primaries, which were conducted peacefully, transparently, and successfully across the affected constituencies.
The party congratulates all the successful candidates and calls on its members, supporters, and lovers of democracy in the affected districts and constituencies to rally behind them in the June 20 by-elections. The Labour Party reiterates that, as a party founded on the principles of social democracy, equal opportunity and social justice, it carefully selected candidates with proven competence, integrity and commitment to the ideals of the party.
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