A former Minister of Information,  Labaran Maku, has emerged as the Labour Party consensus candidate for Nasarawa North senatorial district by-election scheduled for June 20.

The Labour Party National Publicity Secretary, Ken Asogwa, made this known in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja.

Mr Asogwa said the primary election held at the party’s zonal office in Nasarawa North attracted a large turnout of party faithful who affirmed Mr Maku’s candidacy for the by-election.

Similarly, he said that a diplomat, Ambassador Simon Eze, emerged as the party’s candidate for Enugu North Senatorial District by-election through a peaceful and rancour-free consensus process.

“Party members from across the senatorial district turned out in large numbers to endorse his candidature ahead of the by-election,” he said.

Mr Asogwa listed other candidates who emerged through the same consensus process to include Sam Kinanee (Rivers South-East) and Ige Asemudara (Ondo South).

He said that Abubakar Muhammad (Dawaki Kudu/Warawa Federal Constituency of Kano State) and Muhammad Galadima (Zuru State Constituency of Kebbi State) also emerged through a consensus arrangement.

The seats for Enugu North, Nasarawa North and Rivers South-East senatorial districts became vacant, following the deaths of the senators representing the three districts.

Meanwhile, Ondo South senatorial district became vacant due to the resignation of Senator Jimoh Ibrahim following his appointment as Nigeria’s permanent representative to the United Nations.

Mr Asogwa commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for its professionalism and diligence in monitoring the primaries, which, he said, were conducted peacefully, transparently and successfully across the affected constituencies.

He also congratulated all the successful candidates and called on its members, supporters and lovers of democracy in the affected districts and constituencies to rally behind them in the June 20 by-elections.

Mr Asogwa said that as a party founded on the principles of social democracy, equal opportunity and social justice, Labour Party carefully selected the candidates with proven competence, integrity and commitment to its ideals.

(NAN)