LP names Maku, Simon Eze, four others for June 20 by-elections

The Labour Party has concluded its primaries ahead of the June 20, 2026 by-elections, producing former Information Minister Labaran Maku, ex-diplomat Simon Eze and four others as candidates for vacant legislative seats across the country.

In a statement issued in Abuja on Tuesday, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Ken Asogwa, said Maku emerged through a consensus arrangement as the party’s candidate for the Nasarawa North Senatorial District by-election during the primary held at the party’s zonal office.

Asogwa also announced that Eze emerged as the consensus candidate for the Enugu North Senatorial District by-election after what the party described as a peaceful and rancour-free exercise.

Other candidates produced by the party include Sam Kinanee for Rivers South-East Senatorial District; Ige Asemudara (Ondo South); Abubakar Muhammad (Dawaki Kudu/Warawa Federal Constituency in Kano State); and Muhammad Galadima (Zuru State Constituency in Kebbi State).

According to the party, the vacancies in Enugu North, Nasarawa North and Rivers South-East senatorial districts followed the deaths of lawmakers representing the constituencies in the current 10th Senate.

Asogwa also recalled that Senator Okey Ezea, who represented Enugu North, died on November 18, 2025, after a brief illness, while Senator Godiya Akwashiki of Nasarawa North died on December 31, 2025, following a prolonged illness.

The party spokesman added that Senator Barinada Mpigi of Rivers South-East died on February 18, 2026.

He said, “The Labour Party commends 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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