The family of the late Senator representing Nasarawa North Senatorial District, Godiya Akwashiki, has endorsed the Labour Party candidate, Labaran Maku, ahead of the forthcoming senatorial by-election in the district.
The endorsement was announced on Sunday by the father of the late lawmaker, Akwashiki Awalaro, when he received Maku and members of his campaign team at the family’s ancestral home in Angba-Iggah, Nasarawa Eggon Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.
The endorsement comes months after the death of Akwashiki, whose passing created a vacancy in the Nasarawa North Senatorial District and necessitated the by-election.
Akwashiki, who represented the district in the Senate, died on December 31, 2025, at the age of 52 in an Indian hospital where he had been receiving treatment for a prolonged illness.
Before his election to the Senate in 2019, he served as Majority Leader and later Deputy Speaker of the Nasarawa State House of Assembly. His death attracted tributes from political leaders and constituents who described him as a committed lawmaker and grassroots politician.
Awalaro said the family’s decision was based on what he described as the wish of his late son, who allegedly instructed members of the family to support Maku should he die following his prolonged illness.
According to him, the late senator believed Maku had played a significant role in his political journey and deserved the family’s support.
Awalaro said, “My son, late Senator Godiya Akwashiki, told me and the entire family that in case he died, we should support Mr. Labaran Maku to replace him in the Senate.
“He said that Maku supported him when he contested elections. My son also told us that when he offered money to Maku, Maku rejected the money and asked him to use it for projects in communities across Nasarawa North.
“My son said the only way to pay back Maku is for the entire family to support and vote for him to replace him at the National Assembly if he died. That is why we have decided to endorse him.”
The family patriarch described Maku as a man of integrity and expressed confidence in his ability to sustain the developmental projects initiated by the late senator.
He urged supporters of the deceased lawmaker and residents of the senatorial district to vote for the Labour Party candidate during the by-election.
Also speaking, a younger brother of the late senator, Anza Yunana Akwashiki, corroborated his father’s position, saying the family was merely carrying out the wishes of their late brother.
He appealed to supporters and political associates of the deceased lawmaker to rally behind Maku in order to preserve Akwashiki’s legacy.
Responding, Maku promised to complete projects initiated by the late senator if elected to represent the district in the Senate.
The former Minister of Information and ex-Deputy Governor of Nasarawa State said continuity in governance and project implementation would ensure that the people continue to enjoy the dividends of democracy.
“By God’s grace, I will complete all roads and other projects initiated by our late distinguished Senator Godiya Akwashiki.
“I want to assure you that all of his aides and staff will work with me if given the mandate. I am not going to do anything new; I will start from where he stopped and I will do more if elected,” Maku said.
Maku explained that his visit to the family’s ancestral home followed an invitation from the late senator’s father, who wished to offer him prayers, blessings and formal endorsement.
He described Akwashiki as one of the most impactful senators produced by Nasarawa State, citing what he called the late lawmaker’s numerous developmental projects and contributions to the district.
The Labour Party candidate also pledged to establish a foundation in honour of the late senator to support leadership development and assist vulnerable members of society.
“I want to appreciate the father and the entire family of our late Senator Godiya Akwashiki for their prayers, support and endorsement,” he said.
“By God’s grace, if elected, I will establish the Senator Godiya Akwashiki Foundation to train future leaders and support the less privileged.
“I will create opportunities for our youths and women, empower communities, initiate people-oriented projects and attract more Federal Government projects to our senatorial district.”
Maku further urged eligible voters in the district to participate actively in the by-election and protect their votes.
During the visit, the Labour Party candidate and his entourage also paid courtesy visits to several traditional rulers in the area, who offered prayers and goodwill messages ahead of the election.
He also addressed residents of Mada Station, Iggah-Brumbrum and other communities, assuring them of quality representation and responsive leadership if elected.
