The Labour Party (LP) has concluded primary elections in several states, producing candidates for governorship, senate, house of representatives, and state assembly seats ahead of the 2027 general election.
In Abia, Alex Otti, governor of the state, retained the
party’s gubernatorial candidacy after polling 368, 230 votes in a direct
primary election.
Speaking after receiving his certificate of return at the
International Conference Centre in Umuahia, Otti said the party’s candidates
must now focus on winning the general election.
“I want to also call our attention to the fact that the job
has just started,” he said.
“If you were not a candidate, then you can’t fight. But now
that you are a candidate, you know, election is contention. You have to contend
with yourself. At the end of the day, the best person must win.”
Otti urged candidates to reach out to voters beyond the
party’s membership base.
“There are a lot of people who don’t belong to parties who
you need to now go out and talk to and convince them to either join the party
or at least vote for members of the party,” he said.
The governor also accepted the nomination and commended
party leaders for ensuring a peaceful primary process.
Enyinnaya Abaribe, senator representing Abia south, secured
the party’s senatorial candidacy for the district.
Darlington Nwokocha and David Ogba Onuoha also clinched the
party’s tickets for Abia central and Abia north senatorial districts,
respectively.
In Benue, Philip Agbese, member representing Ado/Okpokwu/Ogbadibo federal constituency, secured the Labour Party ticket to seek re-election after polling more than 52,000 votes in direct primaries conducted across the constituency’s 35 wards.
Agbese, the deputy spokesperson of the house of
representatives, defected from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the
Labour Party in February 2026.
Aminu Atonu, the party’s national returning officer for
Benue, described the exercise as “peaceful, transparent and credible”.
Samuel Onuh was returned unopposed as the party’s candidate
for Benue south senatorial district, while Mathias Byuan emerged as the
governorship candidate.
Reacting to his victory, Agbese thanked his supporters and
urged them to replicate their support during the general election.
“Today is a remarkable day in my life. It is a day when my
people, the good people of Ado/Okpokwu/Ogbadibo Federal Constituency, once
again, demonstrated that their love for me was beyond lips and facial
expressions,” he said.
“They went all out, defied the rains and gathered in their
thousands across the 35 Council Wards of the Federal Constituency, to affirm
the mandate given to me.”
Agbese said the Labour Party had witnessed rapid growth in
the constituency since his defection.
“They didn’t only suggest Labour Party, they also followed
me massively to the party and we started building it, like the Ark of Noah,” he
said.
“Today, we can boast of over 60,000 members registered on
the database, at short period of time.”
In Adamawa, Ishaku Abbo, former senator representing Adamawa
north, emerged as the Labour Party governorship candidate.
In Imo, Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, former first lady of Ondo
state, emerged as the Labour Party candidate for Owerri federal constituency.
GAZA SECURES NASARAWA GOVERNORSHIP TICKET
In Nasarawa, Jonathan Gaza, member representing
Karu/Keffi/Kokona federal constituency, emerged as the party’s governorship
candidate.
Kalu Ekeh, returning officer for the primary election,
declared Gaza winner at a special nomination congress in Lafia.
“Accordingly, having satisfied all constitutional and
procedural requirements, Hon. Jonathan Gaza is hereby declared the winner and
duly returned elected as the Labour Party governorship candidate for Nasarawa
State,” Ekeh said.
Labaran Maku, former minister of information, was also
returned unopposed as the party’s candidate for the Nasarawa north senatorial
district by-election and the 2027 senatorial election.
Speaking after his emergence, Gaza promised to deliver
transformative leadership if elected governor.
“By God’s special grace, we are going to win our election,
we are going to rule Nasarawa state, and we are going to make Nasarawa state
much better,” he said.
RIVERS, SOKOTO LP OPT FOR CONSENSUS CANDIDATES
The Labour Party also concluded primaries in Rivers and
Sokoto states, producing candidates through consensus arrangements.
In Rivers, Chima Boms emerged as the party’s consensus
governorship candidate, while Beatrice Itubo, former chairperson of the Nigeria
Labour Congress (NLC) in the state, secured the ticket for Rivers east
senatorial district.
In Sokoto, Aminu Umar Ahmad emerged as the party’s
governorship candidate following a consensus process endorsed by party
stakeholders.
Julius Inedu, chairman of the party’s electoral committee in
Sokoto, described the exercise as peaceful and transparent.
“Today’s exercise reflects the unity and maturity of our
party in Sokoto state,” Inedu said.
“Through consultations and consensus-building, we have
demonstrated that democracy can thrive in an atmosphere of understanding and
mutual respect.”
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