2027 Senate Race: INEC Final Candidate List Sets Stage for Fierce Contest
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has released its final list of candidates for the 2027 general elections, formally setting the stage for a keen contest for Nigeria’s 109 senatorial seats.
The publication has provided political parties and their candidates with a clearer picture of the field ahead of the February 2027 elections, with established politicians, serving and former lawmakers, governors approaching the end of their tenure and political newcomers featuring prominently on the ballot.
The development is expected to intensify political mobilisation and campaign activities as parties begin to focus more closely on securing the seats and shaping the composition of the next National Assembly.
In the North-West, the contest in Sokoto State will see incumbent Senator Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko of the All Progressives Congress (APC) face Maishinko Mani Katami of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Abubakar Mainasara Sani of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) and Maccido Ahmed of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Sokoto North.
Sokoto East will feature Tukur Muhammad of the APC, Hassan Muhammad of the ADC, Ummar Maisalati of the NDC and Umar Abubakar of the PDP, while Sokoto South will have Abdullahi Ibrahim Danbaba of the APC, Yabo Faruk Malami of the ADC, Tanimu Bodinga of the NDC and Yusuf Dahiru of the PDP.
The list also features several high-profile contests across the country.
In Abia, Abia North will see incumbent Kalu Orji Uzor of the APC contest against Okoronkwo Godswill of the ADC, Nkole Ndukwe of the NDC and Udeachara Jude of the PDP. Abia South will feature Enyinnaya Abaribe of the Labour Party alongside candidates from the APC, ADC, NDC and PDP.
In Adamawa North, Governor Ahmadu Fintiri is listed as the APC candidate, while Adamawa South includes incumbent Binos Yaroe among the contenders.
Bauchi South will attract particular attention, with Governor Bala Mohammed contesting under the Allied People’s Movement against candidates of the APC, ADC and PDP.
In Bayelsa West, former governor and NDC national leader Seriake Dickson will contest against candidates of the APC, ADC and PDP.
Other notable names appearing on the list include former Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa in Delta North; former Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole in Edo North; former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello in Kogi Central; Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun in Ogun East; Nasarawa State Governor Abdullahi Sule in Nasarawa North; Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma in Imo West; Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq in Kwara Central; and Yobe State Governor Mai Mala Buni in Yobe East.
The Federal Capital Territory will also witness a high-profile contest involving former Senator Philip Aduda of the APC, incumbent Senator Ireti Kingibe of the ADC, Austen Peters-Pam Amanda of the NDC and Angulu Bako of the PDP.
Several serving senators are also seeking to retain their seats. Among them are Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele in Ekiti Central, Senate Spokesman Adeyemi Adaramodu in Ekiti South, Deputy Senate President Barau I. Jibrin in Kano North and other incumbents across the six geopolitical zones.
The candidate list shows that the 2027 Senate election will feature contests involving the APC, ADC, NDC, PDP and several other political parties, with the strength of the major parties varying across individual senatorial districts.
With the candidates now formally identified, political parties are expected to step up grassroots mobilisation, coalition-building and campaign strategies as the 2027 elections draw closer.
