By George Omagbemi
Eight serving Nigerian governors are among the candidates contesting Senate seats in the 2027 general elections, according to the final list of National Assembly candidates released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The governors are Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa, Bala Mohammed of Bauchi, Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe, Hope Uzodimma of Imo, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara, Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa, Dapo Abiodun of Ogun and Mai Mala Buni of Yobe.
Unlike earlier reports that described some governors as merely “linked” to possible Senate bids, the INEC final list provides a clear basis for identifying those who are actually on the ballot.
- Ahmadu Fintiri — Adamawa
Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri is the APC candidate for the Adamawa North Senatorial District. He secured the party’s ticket during the senatorial primary.
- Bala Mohammed — Bauchi
Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed is contesting the Bauchi South Senatorial District under the Allied Peoples Movement (APM).
Mohammed picked the APM nomination form in May and was subsequently affirmed as the party’s senatorial candidate. The INEC final list also includes him in the Bauchi South contest.
- Inuwa Yahaya — Gombe
Gombe State Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya is contesting the Gombe North Senatorial District on the APC platform.
He secured the party’s senatorial ticket during the APC primary process.
- Hope Uzodimma — Imo
Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma is the APC candidate for the Imo West Senatorial District.
His Senate bid is notable because his second term as governor runs beyond the 2027 elections under the state’s off-cycle electoral timetable. He nevertheless secured the APC ticket and is on the Senate candidate list.
- AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq — Kwara
Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq is contesting the Kwara Central Senatorial District on the APC platform.
He secured the party’s ticket for the district and is listed among the candidates for the 2027 Senate election.
- Abdullahi Sule — Nasarawa
Nasarawa State Governor Abdullahi Sule is contesting the Nasarawa North Senatorial District on the APC platform.
He won the APC senatorial primary in May, defeating former Deputy Governor Silas Agara, and is listed by INEC as the APC candidate for the district.
- Dapo Abiodun — Ogun
Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun is contesting the Ogun East Senatorial District on the APC platform.
He emerged as the party’s candidate during the APC primary and appears on the final candidate list for the district.
- Mai Mala Buni — Yobe
Yobe State Governor Mai Mala Buni is contesting the Yobe East Senatorial District on the APC platform.
Buni secured the party’s ticket for the district after the incumbent senator, Musa Mustapha, withdrew from the contest and endorsed him. The governor is listed by INEC as the APC candidate for Yobe East.
Where Does Douye Diri Stand?
Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri should not be included in the list of governors contesting Senate seats in 2027.
Although his name appeared in earlier reports discussing possible Senate ambitions, he does not appear among the eight serving governors identified on the final INEC Senate candidate list. Bayelsa also operates an off-cycle electoral timetable, with Diri’s current tenure extending beyond the 2027 general election.
The Final Eight
The serving governors on the 2027 Senate ballot are therefore:
Ahmadu Fintiri — Adamawa North — APC
Bala Mohammed — Bauchi South — APM
Inuwa Yahaya — Gombe North — APC
Hope Uzodimma — Imo West — APC
AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq — Kwara Central — APC
Abdullahi Sule — Nasarawa North — APC
Dapo Abiodun — Ogun East — APC
Mai Mala Buni — Yobe East — APC
INEC’s official final Senate candidate document confirms the publication of the candidates for the 2027 National Assembly elections. The commission’s list contains 1,303 candidates competing for the 109 Senate seats.
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