The Labour Party has named former Minister of Information, Labaran Maku, as its candidate for the Nasarawa North Senatorial District by-election.
The party said Maku emerged through a consensus arrangement during the primary election held at its zonal office in Nasarawa North on Monday.
The exercise, according to the party, was conducted in line with the timetable released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for vacant senatorial, federal and state constituency seats across the country.
Party faithful from across the district were said to have turned out in large numbers to endorse Maku’s candidature ahead of the poll.
In Enugu State, the Labour Party also picked a seasoned diplomat, Simon Ejike Eze, as its candidate for the Enugu North Senatorial District by-election.
The party described the exercise that produced Eze as peaceful and rancour-free, saying members from across the senatorial district participated in the consensus process.
PrimeTimes Nigeria reports that the developments were disclosed in a statement issued by the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Ken Asogwa.
According to the statement, the primaries across the affected constituencies were conducted peacefully and successfully.
Other Candidates Emerge Through Consensus
The party also announced Engr. Sam Kinanee as its candidate for the Rivers South-East Senatorial District by-election.
In Ondo State, Barrister Ige Aiyeobasan Asemudara emerged as the party’s candidate for the Ondo South Senatorial District.
For the Dawaki Kudu/Warawa Federal Constituency in Kano State, the party picked Abubakar Yahaya Muhammad, while Muhammad Aliyu Galadima emerged as its candidate for the Zuru State Constituency by-election in Kebbi State.
The Labour Party said all the candidates emerged through consensus arrangements, adding that the processes were transparent and in line with democratic principles.
The party recalled that the senatorial seats in Enugu North, Nasarawa North and Rivers South-East became vacant following the deaths of the lawmakers representing the districts in the 10th Senate.
According to the statement, Senator Okey Ezea, who represented Enugu North, died in a Lagos hospital on November 18, 2025, at the age of 62 after a brief illness.
The party described Ezea as the only office holder in Enugu State elected on the platform of the Labour Party who remained loyal to the party despite the defections that hit the party last year.
It added that Senator Godiya Akwashiki, who represented Nasarawa North, died on December 31, 2025, at the age of 52 after a prolonged illness.
The statement further noted that Senator Barinada Mpigi, who represented Rivers South-East, died on February 18, 2026, at the age of 64.
The Ondo South Senatorial seat, according to the party, became vacant following the resignation of former senator representing the district, Jimoh Ibrahim, after his appointment by President Bola Tinubu as Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations.
The Labour Party commended INEC for what it described as the professionalism and diligence shown in monitoring the primaries across the affected constituencies.
“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 statement read.
The party also congratulated all successful candidates and urged members, supporters and leaders of the party to work together to ensure victory in the forthcoming 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.
The party said it remained committed to presenting credible candidates who could represent the interests of the people and uphold the values of the Labour Party in public office.