Labour Party Concludes June 20 By‑Election Primaries; Maku, Eze, and Others Advance as Candidates

The Labour Party (LP) has completed its primaries to select candidates for the by‑elections scheduled for 20 June 2026.

These primaries were held in accordance with the timetable issued by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for filling vacancies in several constituencies across the federation.

At the primary held at the party’s zonal office in Nasarawa North, former Minister of Information Labaran Maku was chosen as the LP candidate through a consensus arrangement.

The exercise drew a large turnout of party faithful who gathered to endorse his candidacy for the upcoming Nasarawa North Senatorial District by‑election.

In Enugu North Senatorial District, seasoned diplomat Ambassador Simon Ejike Eze emerged as the party’s candidate through a peaceful, rancour‑free consensus process.

Party members from across the senatorial district turned out in large numbers to support his candidacy ahead of the by‑election.

Other candidates selected through the same consensus process 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 seats for Enugu North, Nasarawa North and Rivers South‑East Senatorial Districts became vacant following the deaths of the senators representing those districts in the current 10th Senate, while the Ondo South seat became vacant after the resignation of its former senator.

In Enugu North, Senator Okey Ezea died in a Lagos hospital on 18 November 2025 at the age of 62 after a brief illness. He was the only elected office holder in Enugu State elected on the Labour Party platform who remained loyal to the party amid a wave of defections last year.

In Nasarawa North, Senator Godiya Akwashiki died on 31 December 2025 at the age of 52 after a prolonged illness. Senator Barinada Mpigi, who represented Rivers South‑East Senatorial District, passed away on 18 February 2026 at the age of 64.

In Ondo South, the Senate declared Senator Jimoh Ibrahim’s seat vacant on 28 April after his appointment by President Bola Tinubu as Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations.

The Labour Party praised INEC for its professionalism and diligence in monitoring the primaries, which were conducted peacefully, transparently and successfully across the affected constituencies.

The party congratulated all successful candidates and urged its members, supporters and all lovers of democracy in the affected districts and constituencies to rally behind them in the June 20 by‑elections.