Labour Party officials in Nasarawa State have named Hon. Jonathan Gaza as the party's governorship candidate.
Gaza, who currently serves his third term in the House of Representatives, represents Karu, Keffi, and Kokona constituencies.
The party also picked former Information Minister Labaran Maku to contest for Nasarawa North in the Senate race. Both candidates emerged from primaries conducted on May 30, 2026.
Dr. Kalu Oke, who chaired the electoral committee, made the announcement at a nomination congress in Lafia.
He confirmed that Gaza ran unopposed for the governorship slot.
According to Oke, delegates affirmed Gaza's candidacy in line with party rules and the Electoral Act. Gaza satisfied all required constitutional procedures before his victory was ratified.
His certificate of return will be presented at Labour Party headquarters in Abuja, officials said. Maku similarly contested unopposed for the senatorial position and met all requirements.
Maku is also running in a separate senatorial by-election scheduled for June 20, 2026. This follows the death of Senator Godiya Akwashiki who previously held the seat.
Speaking at the congress, Gaza promised to end corrupt governance in Nasarawa. He pledged transformative leadership that would improve the lives of ordinary residents.
In his words: "By God's special grace, we are going to win our election, we are going to make Nasarawa State much better." Gaza argued that past challenges had made the people more resilient.
He framed his candidacy as a contract between himself and voters. Gaza vowed to unlock the state's human and natural resources for growth.
"That which God has kept for the people of Nasarawa State, human, natural resources, amongst so many other things, as a team, we'll put our heads together," he noted. "With the guidance of the Almighty God, we'll give Nasarawa State a vibrant position where God has destined it to be," Gaza added.
Campaign coordinators received instructions to maintain peace during grassroots mobilization efforts. Gaza urged supporters to vote Labour Party across all positions.
"Let us come out, campaign, vote, and elect Labour Party for the liberation and the transformation of Nasarawa State," the candidate told the gathering. Party faithful responded with enthusiasm to his address.
