By Opeyemi Adelakun
The release of the final list of candidates for the 2027 general elections has moved Nigeria’s senatorial contest from speculation to a clearly defined battle, with governors, serving lawmakers, former governors and political newcomers now facing off for the 109 seats in the National Assembly.
With the Independent National Electoral Commission’s publication of the candidates, political parties now have a clearer picture of the races they must win or defend when Nigerians vote in February 2027.
The list also highlights the extent to which the Senate has become a destination for political heavyweights seeking a fresh foothold in national politics, particularly governors whose second terms will end in 2027.
Among the governors listed are Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa, Bala Mohammed of Bauchi, Yahaya Inuwa of Gombe, Hope Uzodimma of Imo, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara, Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa, Dapo Abiodun of Ogun and Mai Mala Buni of Yobe.
Former governors and prominent former office-holders are also prominent in several districts, including former Delta State governor Ifeanyi Okowa in Delta North, former Edo governor Adams Oshiomhole in Edo North and former Zamfara governor Abdul’aziz Yari in Zamfara West.
The list further places serving senators and other senior lawmakers in direct electoral contests that could determine whether some of the most recognisable figures in the National Assembly retain their seats.
In Lagos, for instance, the three senatorial districts have candidates from the All Progressives Congress, African Democratic Congress, Nigeria Democratic Congress and Peoples Democratic Party.
Lagos Central will feature Sanni Eshilokun Wasiu of the APC, Abayomi Idowu Omotayo of the ADC, Johnson Lawrence Adeniyi Oladipupo of the NDC and Dakova-Vaughan Kolawole David of the PDP.
In Lagos East, the APC’s Abiru Adetokunbo Mukhail will face Moshood Babatunde Olanrewaju of the ADC, Adebanjo Adeola Damilola of the NDC and Adeniji Victoria of the PDP.
Lagos West will have Adebule Idiat Oluranti of the APC, Bello Owolabi Hafis of the ADC, Salvador Adegoke Moshood of the NDC and Phillips Adebiyi Abiodun of the PDP.
The political stakes are similarly high in other states.
In Abia South, incumbent senator Enyinnaya Abaribe is listed on the Labour Party platform alongside candidates of the APC, ADC, NDC and PDP.
Adamawa presents another major test, with Governor Fintiri listed to contest Adamawa North on the APC platform, while other districts feature established political figures.
In Bauchi South, Governor Bala Mohammed is listed under the Allied People’s Movement, with Shehu Abdullahi of the APC, Garba Dahiru of the ADC and Dabo Danjuma Adamu of the PDP also in the race.
The contest in Bayelsa West is also notable, with former governor and NDC national leader Seriake Dickson listed against Agbiki Fidelis of the APC, Ogola Christopher of the ADC and Ebebi Onduakpo Polycarp of the PDP.
Delta’s three senatorial districts also contain several heavyweight contests.
In Delta Central, incumbent Dafinone Ede of the APC is listed against Benjamin Ewhrudjakpor of the ADC, Ovie Omo-Agege of the NDC and Arhagba Ighogbedjere of the PDP.
Delta North has former governor Ifeanyi Okowa of the APC facing Ogoliegbune Valentine Chibuzor of the ADC, Ochei Victor Onyekachi of the NDC and Ogannah Onyeama Austyn of the PDP.
In Delta South, Joel-Onowakpo Thomas Ewomazino of the APC is listed against Adhekpukoli Elo of the NDC and Otuaro Kingley Burutu of the PDP.
Edo also presents a high-profile contest, with former governor and serving senator Adams Oshiomhole listed for Edo North on the APC platform. He will face Aruna Abubakari of the ADC, Oisamoje Maria Evuarherhe of the NDC and Momoh-Dejih Bashir Eugine.
In Ekiti Central, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele is seeking to retain his position in the chamber through another electoral contest. He is listed against Akinyemi Victor of the ADC, Omolayotaiwo Oluwagbenga of the NDC and Fatuyi-Olajuyigbe Monica Adesola of the PDP.
The Federal Capital Territory will also witness a contest involving familiar names, with Philip Aduda of the APC facing incumbent senator Ireti Kingibe of the ADC, Austen Peters-Pam Amanda of the NDC and Angulu Bako of the PDP.
In Kano North, Deputy Senate President Barau I. Jibrin is listed as the APC candidate. He will contest against Saleh Shehu Kudawa of the ADC, Usman Sunusi Danbatta of the NDC and Sagir Abdulkadir Ahmad of the PDP.
Kogi Central is another district likely to attract considerable attention, with former governor Yahaya Bello of the APC listed against Ogembe Salau Ahmed of the ADC, Salau Muritala Audu of the NDC and Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan of the PDP.
In Kwara Central, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq is listed to contest against Abdulahi Risikat Motunrayo of the ADC, Suleiman Abdulrasheed Olufemi Omoda of the NDC and Saliu Mustapha of the PDP.
Ogun is equally set for contests involving the state’s political leadership. Governor Dapo Abiodun is listed as the APC candidate for Ogun East, where he will face Adebanjo Babatunde Olalekan of the ADC, Shokoya Adewale Oluwasegun of the NDC and Omotayo Oluwafemi Abdulhameed of the PDP.
In Nasarawa North, Governor Abdullahi Sule is listed against Victor Affiku Tsaku of the ADC, Danladi James of the NDC and Madaki Benbella Anthony of the PDP.
The Plateau contests include another former governor, Simon Lalong, who is listed as the APC candidate for Plateau South against Solomon Selcap Dalung of the ADC, Kefas Peter Dandam of the NDC and Shekarau Johnbull of the PDP.
Rivers, Sokoto, Taraba and other states also have four-way contests across several districts, reflecting the broad spread of the major political parties in the 2027 Senate race.
In Zamfara West, former governor Abdul’aziz Yari is listed as the APC candidate against Ibrahim Mikailu Barau of the ADC, Abdullahi Hassan Anka of the NDC and Lawal Faru of the PDP.
In Yobe East, Governor Mai Mala Buni is listed for the APC against Kale Kawu of the ADC and Mustapha Maigoro of the PDP.
The list also shows that the contest will not be uniform across the country. Some districts have candidates from several parties, while others have fewer contestants, including instances where a major party is absent from a particular race.
For the political parties, the publication of the final list provides the basis for more targeted campaigns, voter mobilisation and district-by-district strategy.
For the candidates, it means that the political contest has moved beyond internal nominations and speculation to the electorate itself.
The Senate election will therefore be one of the major battlegrounds of the 2027 general elections, with its outcome capable of determining the balance of power in the National Assembly and influencing the political direction of the next administration.
The final list has effectively given voters a clearer view of who is seeking their mandate, while putting the political parties under pressure to convert their candidates’ visibility into votes when Nigerians head to the polls in February 2027.
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