By Myke Uzendu, Abuja
The Labour Party (LP) has concluded its primaries for the June 20, 2026 by-elections, producing candidates for vacant senatorial, federal constituency and state assembly seats across the country.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Ken Eluma Asogwa, the Labour Party said the primaries were conducted in line with the timetable released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
At the primary held in Nasarawa North, former Minister of Information, Labaran Maku, emerged as the party’s candidate for the Nasarawa North Senatorial District by-election through a consensus arrangement.
According to the party, the exercise witnessed significant participation by members who endorsed Maku’s candidacy ahead of the election.
Similarly, seasoned diplomat, Simon Ejike Eze, emerged as the Labour Party’s candidate for the Enugu North Senatorial District by-election through what the party described as a peaceful consensus process.
Other candidates who emerged include Sam Kinanee for Rivers South-East Senatorial District, 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 noted that the by-elections became necessary following vacancies arising from deaths and resignation of lawmakers.
According to the statement, the Enugu North Senatorial seat became vacant following the death of Okey Ezea on November 18, 2025, after a brief illness. The party described him as the only elected Labour Party officeholder in Enugu State who remained with the party despite defections.
The Nasarawa North seat was vacated after the death of Godiya Akwashiki on December 31, 2025, while the Rivers South-East vacancy followed the death of Barinada Mpigi in February 2026.
For Ondo South, the vacancy resulted from the resignation of Jimoh Ibrahim following his appointment by President Bola Tinubu as Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations.
The Labour Party commended INEC for monitoring the primaries and described the process as peaceful, transparent and successful.
The party congratulated the successful candidates and urged members and supporters to mobilise behind them ahead of 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,” the statement added.
