The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has released the final list of candidates for the forthcoming Nasarawa North Senatorial District by-election scheduled for June 20, 2026.

The list, published by the electoral body, confirms four candidates who will contest for the vacant Senate seat representing the district.

Those cleared by INEC are Halilu Onda Enyulu-Uza of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Maku Labaran of the Labour Party (LP), John Paul Aaraneshi of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), and Emmanuel David Ombugadu of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The publication of the final list signals the commencement of the final phase of preparations for the by-election, with political parties expected to intensify campaigns across the five local government areas that make up the senatorial district.

INEC had earlier assured stakeholders of its commitment to conducting a free, fair, and credible poll in line with the Electoral Act and established electoral guidelines.

The Nasarawa North Senatorial District comprises Akwanga, Wamba, Nassarawa Eggon, Kokona, and Nasarawa Local Government Areas.

With the release of the final list, attention now shifts to the campaigns and eventual showdown at the polls on June 20.

Former Minister of Youths and Sports, Solomon Dalung, has said President Bola Tinubu is afraid of ex-Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai.

Dalung, who was Minister during the administration of the late former President Muhammadu Buhari, explained that Tinubu is a creation of El-Rufai, hence the president fears him the most.

In an interview on Mic on Podcast, the former minister recalled how El-Rufai fought for Tinubu to emerge as president of Nigeria.

He noted that there is a deliberate attempt to keep El-Rufai incarcerated until after 2027.

Dalung said: “There is a deliberate intention of having him incarcerated until this transition is over because the one Bola Tinubu feared the most is El-Rufai.

“And why do I say this? El-Rufai brought Tinubu and minus El-Rufai Tinubu would not have accepted in the North in 2023. He started the campaign of presidency going to the South and when Buhari told people to vote Ahmed Lawan, it was El-Rufai who knew Buhari very well that if you confront him with something like that he would deny it, he mobilized Northern governors to Buhari and said he heard that we should vote Lawan but Buhari said no, I’m a Democrat, allow people to choose.

“He came back and mobilized and mobilized the governors to support Tinubu. El-Rufai created Tinubu, remove El-Rufai would have not won in 2023. He was everywhere.

“He was even his campaign director. He was in Chatham House speaking for him.

“Tinubu knew the capacity of el-Rufai very well, and the best they can do is to have him incarcerated, alternating him from one court to the other. They’ll keep doing this and granting bail.

“Before we know it, we’ll have 10 or 15 bail applications granted, none of the conditions can be met until after 2027.”

The 2023 Deputy Governorship Candidate under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr. Yusuf Bello Danbatta, has dumped the party and joined the All Progressives Congress (APC).

He officially announced his defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), citing extensive consultations and a desire to contribute more effectively to the development of Kano State and Nigeria.

This was contained in a statement he signed and issued to newsmen. He said the move followed careful consideration and wide-ranging consultations with political leaders, associates, supporters, and other stakeholders.

He noted that the APC offers a more suitable platform through which he can advance the interests of the people and support initiatives aimed at improving governance and development.

The former deputy governorship candidate explained that his decision was largely influenced by the leadership style and developmental agenda of the Kano State Government under Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf.

He described the Kano First Agenda as a transformative blueprint that has demonstrated a strong commitment to good governance, human capital development, infrastructure renewal, and the overall progress of the state.

He reaffirmed his unwavering commitment to public service and pledged to continue working for the unity and progress of the people, regardless of political affiliations.

The former deputy governorship candidate called on his supporters and associates to join him in supporting efforts geared towards the continued growth, stability, and development of Kano State.