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Insists only INEC-witnessed primaries are valid
From Abel Leonard, Lafia
The Chairman of the Labour Party in Nasarawa State, Hon. Alex Emmanuel, has declared that former minister Labaran Maku and one Gaza Gbefi are not candidates of the party, insisting that only aspirants who emerged from primaries conducted under his leadership and witnessed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) are recognised.
Emmanuel, who said he assumed office as state chairman in December 2025, maintained in an interview on Sunday that his executive remains the only legitimate structure of the party in the state.
“We are the legitimate leadership of the Labour Party in Nasarawa State. Maku, Gaza Gbeifi and others did not participate in our primaries and therefore cannot be recognised as candidates,” he said.
He explained that the party had already conducted its primaries for both the forthcoming by-election and the 2027 governorship election, producing Benjamin Ashim as the by-election candidate and Hon. Ibrahim Afakar Azamu as the governorship flag bearer.
“The primaries were conducted in line with party guidelines, and INEC was present throughout the process. We have duly submitted only the candidates that emerged from that exercise,” he stated.
Emmanuel further insisted that the electoral umpire witnessed the process, adding that all necessary documentation had been forwarded accordingly.
“INEC was there with us. Everything was done openly and properly. We are not dealing with rumours but with official processes,” he added.
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He dismissed claims of a parallel faction allegedly backed by a caretaker committee from Abuja, describing its activities as unconstitutional and lacking authority.
According to him, the faction has no grassroots structure or legitimacy within the state.
“Let them tell us how many local government chairmen are with them. Party strength is measured by structure on ground, not announcements from Abuja,” he said.
The chairman also maintained that the leadership dispute within the party was already subject to judicial consideration, expressing confidence that the courts would eventually determine the authentic leadership.
“This is an internal issue, and we are confident the courts will do justice to it,” he said.
He urged party members and the public to disregard individuals presented by the rival faction, insisting that only candidates produced under his leadership would stand for the party in the upcoming elections.
The Labour Party in Nasarawa State remains divided amid ongoing leadership tussles, with competing factions laying claim to control of the party structure ahead of key elections.
