The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has officially released the final comprehensive list of validated candidates that will contest the upcoming legislative bye-elections scheduled for Saturday, June 20, 2026 in parts of Nigeria.
The former Minister of Information, Labaran Maku and 19 others were cleared by INEC to contest the legislative bye elections across six States.
Maku who has also emerged the Labour Party governorship candidate for the 2027 governorship elections in Nasarawa State is to square up with the PDP candidate in the same election, Emmanuel Ombugadu for the vacant Nasarawa North Senatorial district.
In a list of cleared candidates signed by the Secretary to the Commission, Rose Orianran-Anthony, only the All Progressives Congress (APC) is fielding candidates in the six constituencies made up of four Senatorial seats, one House of Representatives seat and one State House of Assembly seat.
Four candidates were cleared to contest the Senatorial election for Ondo South, Four for Nasarawa North, four for Rivers South and three for Enugu North, while three candidates were cleared to contest the House of Representatives seat for Dawakin Kudu/Warawa and three for the State Assembly seat in Kebbi.
Those cleared for the Ondo North Senatorial district vacated by Senator Jimoh Ibrahim who is now Nigeria’s Ambassador to the United Nations, are Adesanya Olaoluwa (Action Peoples Party), Faduyile Adedayo (All Progressives Congress), Akinwunmi Harrison (Allied Peoples Movement) and Enjoy Funso Clement (Boot Party).
In Nasarawa state, Halilu Envulu-Aza (All Progressives Congress), Labaran Maku (Labour Party), John Paul Araneshri (New Nigeria Peoples Party) and Emmanuel Ombugadu (Peoples Democratic Party) were cleared to contest the Nasarawa North Senatorial seat left vacant as a result of the death of its former occupant.
The Seat for Rivers South left vacant as a result of death has Douglas Fabeke Beeka (Action Alliance), Osarosaka Erewari (All Progressives Congress), Sam Kinanee Barikpoa (Labour Party) and Nwogu Olaka Johnson (Peoples Democratic Party) cleared for the June 20 election.
For Enugu North Senatorial district also left vacant as a result of death, Asogwa Ikeje Israel (All Progressives Congress), Anele Chukwuma (Boot Party) and Ezeme Nestor Chika (Peoples Democratic Party) were cleared for the contest.
The Dawakin Kudu/Warsaw Federal constituency seat in the House of Representatives will be contested by Rabiu Shuaibu (All Progressives Congress), Lawal Garba (Allied Peoples Movement) and Abubakar Mohammed (Labour Party).
For the Zuru State constituency in Kebbi State, Garba Rabiu (All Progressives Congress) and Aliyu Galadima Muhammed (Labour Party) were cleared by INEC to contest the election.
INEC FULL LIST
1.Ondo South Senatorial District:
- Adesanya Olaoluwa — APP
- Faduyile Francis Adedayo — APC
- Akinwumi Adeolu Harrison — APM
- Nejo Funso Clement — BP.
2.Nasarawa North Senatorial District:
- Halilu Danladi Envwulu-Aza — APC
- Maku Labaran — LP
- John Paul Araneshri — NNPP
- Emmanuel David Ombugadu — PDP.
3.Rivers South East Senatorial District:
- Douglas Fabeeke Beeka — AA
- Osarosaka Ebenezer Erewari — APC
- Sam Kinanee Barikpoa — LP
- Nwogu Olaka Johnson — PDP.
4.Enugu North Senatorial District:
- Asogwa Ikeje Israel — APC
- Aneke Kingsley Chukwuebuka — BP
- Ezeme Nestor Chika — PDP
5.Kebbi State House of Assembly, Zuru Constituency:
- Garba Aiki Rabiu — APC
- Aliyu Galadima Muhammad — LP.
6.Kano, Dawakin Kudu/Warawa Federal Constituency (House of Representatives):
- Rabiu Shuaibu — APC
- Lawan Garba Haruna — APM
- Abubakar Yahaya Muhammad — LP.
(Editor: Ken Eseni)
