Labour Party has wrapped up primaries across several states, picking candidates for governor, senate, reps and state assembly ahead of 2027.
In Abia, Gov Alex Otti kept LP’s governorship ticket with 368,230 votes in a direct primary. He got his certificate of return in Umuahia and told candidates the real work starts now. “Election is contention. You have to contend with yourself. At the end, the best person must win,” he said. Otti also urged them to reach beyond party members and convince undecided voters.
Sen Enyinnaya Abaribe secured LP’s Abia South senate ticket. Darlington Nwokocha and David Ogba Onuoha got Abia Central and Abia North tickets.
In Benue, Rep Philip Agbese, who defected from APC in February, won the LP ticket for Ado/Okpokwu/Ogbadibo with 52,000+ votes across 35 wards. He thanked supporters and said LP has grown to 60,000+ registered members there since he joined. Samuel Onuh went unopposed for Benue South senate, while Mathias Byuan emerged governorship candidate.
Adamawa’s LP governorship ticket went to former senator Ishaku Abbo. In Imo, Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, ex-first lady of Ondo, clinched Owerri federal constituency.
Nasarawa picked Rep Jonathan Gaza as governorship candidate at a congress in Lafia. Ex-minister Labaran Maku returned unopposed for Nasarawa North senate, covering both a by-election and 2027.
Rivers and Sokoto went the consensus route. Rivers chose Chima Boms for governor and Beatrice Itubo, ex-NLC chair, for Rivers East senate. Sokoto picked Aminu Umar Ahmad for governor. The party’s electoral committee chair said Sokoto’s process showed “unity and maturity.”
