2027: INEC Final Candidate List Sets Off Fierce Battle for 109 Senate Seats
The release of the final list of candidates for the 2027 general elections by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has formally set the stage for a major political battle for the 109 seats in the Nigerian Senate.
With the publication of the final list, political parties and their candidates now have a clearer picture of the contenders for the National Assembly elections, with the senatorial contests expected to generate intense political activities, mobilisation and campaigns ahead of the February 2027 poll.
The Senate race is expected to feature a mixture of prominent political figures, serving and former lawmakers, governors whose tenures will end in 2027, political newcomers and other aspirants seeking to shape the composition of the next National Assembly.
The publication of the list has also brought the various contests into sharper focus, giving political parties and their candidates the opportunity to intensify their preparations and grassroots mobilisation.
Global Mirror News reports that several of the senatorial contests will feature notable political names, including current senators, former governors and other high-profile politicians.
The candidates listed for the various senatorial districts are as follows:
ABIA STATE
Abia North: Kalu Orji Uzor of the All Progressives Congress (APC) will contest against Okoronkwo Godswill of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Nkole Ndukwe of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) and Udeachara Jude of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Abia Central: Atuma Emeka of the APC, Austine Akobundu of the ADC, Nkechi Nwaogu of the NDC and Ogu Bob of the PDP.
Abia South: Ikonne Paul of the APC, Isiguzor Victor of the ADC, Enyinna Michael of the NDC, Onuoha Chinyere of the PDP and Enyinnaya Abaribe of the Labour Party.
ADAMAWA STATE
Adamawa North: Governor Ahmadu Fintiri of the APC will face Iya Umar of the ADC, Abubakar Rabiu of the NDC and Lawan Ribado of the PDP.
Adamawa Central: Salihu Mustapha of the APC, Ibrahim Mustapha of the ADC, Ahmed Abdullahi Musa of the NDC and Attah Mohammed Ibrahim of the NDC.
Adamawa South: Tangwami Bilishan of the APC, Binos Yaroe of the ADC, Peter Barata of the NDC and Ahmed Hassan of the PDP.
AKWA IBOM STATE
Akwa Ibom North-East: Aniekan Etim of the APC, Sunday Etim Umoren of the ADC, Afia Ekere S of the NDC and Udobang Cletus Kufre of the PDP.
Akwa Ibom North-West: Akpabio Godswill of the APC, Akpabio Ibanga Obot of the ADC and Inemeh Patty Etete of the NDC. The supplied list indicates that the PDP has no candidate in the district.
Akwa Ibom South: Akpan Ekong Sampson of the APC, Louis Paul Udoh of the ADC, Frank Okon Daniel of the NDC and Isong Etim of the PDP.
ANAMBRA STATE
Anambra North: Nnalue Kingsley of the APC, Udedibia Sunday Ikenna of the ADC, Nwoye Tony Okechukwu of the NDC and Oliatachinenye Edith of the PDP.
Anambra Central: Ekwunife Uche Lilian of the APC, Nwobu Geoffery Ndubuisi of the ADC, Umeh Victor of the NDC and Ughamadu Lawrence Chijioke of the PDP.
Anambra South: Benson-Oraelosi Maryanne of the APC, Anagwu Fredrick Emeka of the ADC, Onunkwo Ebuka Josephat of the NDC and Nwosu Ikechukwu Samben of the PDP.
BAUCHI STATE
Bauchi South: Governor Bala Mohammed, listed under the Allied People’s Movement (APM) in the supplied material, will contest against Shehu Abdullahi of the APC, Garba Dahiru of the ADC and Dabo Danjuma Adamu of the PDP.
Bauchi Central: Misau Isah Hamma of the APC, Abdul Ahmed Ningi of the ADC and Aliyu Bello of the PDP.
Bauchi North: Baba Ibrahim Mohammed of the APC, Suleiman Mohammed Nazif of the ADC and Adamu Abdulkadir of the PDP.
BAYELSA STATE
Bayelsa East: Sunny-Golu Israel of the APC, Sylva Ngo Nathaniel of the ADC, Tekenah Dau Kenny of the NDC and Joseph Ateki Boabofa of the PDP.
Bayelsa Central: Benson Friday Konbowei of the APC, Aistine Inei Asamaowei of the ADC, Okoyareuben Boutuaowei of the NDC and Akinaka Erepamo Richard of the PDP.
Bayelsa West: Former Governor Seriake Dickson, identified in the supplied list as the national leader of the NDC, will contest against Agbiki Fidelis of the APC, Ogola Christopher of the ADC and Ebebi Onduakpo Polycarp of the PDP.
BENUE STATE
Benue North-East: Udende Emmanuel Memga of the APC, Tyough Robert Aondona of the ADC and Unongo Thomas Tyolumun of the PDP.
Benue North-West: Zam Titus Tartenger of the APC, Tsegba Terngu of the ADC, Utaan Conrad Terhide of the NDC and Ortom Eunice Erdoo of the PDP.
Benue South: Agbo Frances Ottah of the APC, Olofu David Adejo of the ADC, Onjeh Daniel Donal of the NDC and Moro Abba Patrick of the PDP.
BORNO STATE
Borno North: Monguno Mohammed Tahir of the APC will contest against Abdullahi Modu Kura of the ADC, Abubakar Tijjani of the NDC and Kareto Mohammed Abdullah of the PDP.
Borno Central: Lawan Kaka Shehu of the APC, Baba Gana Zannah of the ADC, Abdulkadir Fema of the NDC and Kyari Alhaji Grema.
The supplied material subsequently lists another contest under Borno Central, involving Ndume Mohammed Ali of the APC, Idris Mamman Gatumbwa of the ADC, Kwajafailliya Habu of the NDC and Apaguaminu Mallum of the PDP. This appears to require clarification because Borno has only three senatorial districts.
CROSS RIVER STATE
Cross River North: Jarigbe Jarigbe Agom of the APC, Ugbong Casmir of the ADC and Ake Abuashe Grace of the NDC.
Cross River Central: Ewa Oden Ibiang of the APC, Akin Rickett of the ADC, Ewa Bassey Eko of the NDC and John Ifere of the PDP.
Cross River South: Ekpenyong Asuquo of the APC, Edet Joseph of the ADC, Egwu Egwu Arong of the NDC and Inyang Florence of the PDP.
DELTA STATE
Delta Central: The incumbent, Dafinone Ede of the APC, will contest against Ewhrudjakpor Benjamin of the ADC, Omo-Agege Ovie of the NDC and Arhagba Ighogbedjere of the PDP.
Delta North: Former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of the APC will face Ogoliegbune Valentine Chibuzor of the ADC, Ochei Victor Onyekachi of the NDC and Ogannah Onyeama Austyn of the PDP.
Delta South: Joel-Onowakpo Thomas Ewomazino of the APC will contest against Adhekpukoli Elo of the NDC and Otuaro Kingley Burutu of the PDP.
EBONYI STATE
Ebonyi North: Nwebonyi Onyeka Peter of the APC, Ikeria Chibuike Solomon of the ADC, Nwite James of the NDC and Opoke Sunday Andrew of the PDP.
Ebonyi Central: Eze Kenneth Emeka of the APC, Ugo Maginus Kel of the ADC, Odoh Benard Ifeanyi of the NDC and Ngwuta Elechi Christopher of the PDP.
Ebonyi South: Ani Anthony Okorie of the APC, Silas Joseph Onu of the ADC, Ndubuisi Emmanuel of the NDC and Nwachi Maria Ude of the PDP.
EDO STATE
Edo North: Former Governor and incumbent senator Adams Oshiomhole of the APC will face Aruna Abubakari of the ADC, Oisamoje Maria Evuarherhe of the NDC and Momoh-Dejih Bashir Eugine.
Edo Central: Ikpea Joseph of the APC, Okonofua Herberta of the ADC and Inemezele Ikpea Igiagbe Joseph of the NDC.
The supplied material does not provide the complete candidate list for Edo Central and subsequently moves to Edo South.
Edo South: Ogbeide-Ihama Omoregie of the APC, Iduoriyekemwen Matthew Aigbuhuenze of the ADC, Epelle-Asemota Bridgitte of the NDC and Ojediamen Benjamin Ehichioya of the PDP.
EKITI STATE
Ekiti North: Oguntoye Ayobami Samuel of the APC, Ayeni Funso of the ADC and Oguntoye Ayobami of the NDC.
Ekiti Central: Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele of the APC will contest against Akinyemi Victor of the ADC, Omolayotaiwo Oluwagbenga of the NDC and Fatuyi-Olajuyigbe Monica Adesola of the PDP.
Ekiti South: Senate spokesman Adaramodu Adeyemi of the APC will face Kolawole Job Nathaniel of the ADC and Ayeni Oye Olabisi of the PDP.
ENUGU STATE
Enugu East: Chukwu Kelvin of the APC, Idoko Mechika of the ADC, Asadu Patrick of the NDC and Ukwueke Kingsley.
Enugu West: Ngwu Osita of the APC, Ani Juliet Nkechi of the ADC, Eneh Kingsley of the NDC and Amadi Dennis of the PDP.
Enugu North: Asogwa Ikeje Israel of the APC, Chika Idoko Emmanuel of the ADC, Asadu Patrick Oziokoja of the NDC and Ezeme Nestor Chika of the PDP.
FCT
In the Federal Capital Territory, Philip Aduda of the APC will contest against Ireti Kingibe of the ADC, Austen Peters-Pam Amanda of the NDC and Angulu Bako of the PDP.
GOMBE STATE
Gombe North: Governor Yahaya Muhammed Inuwa of the APC will contest against Mustapha Mohammed Aliyu of the ADC, Mohammed Dukku of the NDC and Dankwambo Ibrahim Hassan of the PDP.
Gombe Central: Mohammed Ahmed of the APC, Idris Audu Umar of the ADC, Kabiru Mohammed of the NDC and Hammadu Aliyu.
Gombe South: Hamma Tabitha of the APC, Mela Audu Nunghe of the ADC, Amos Bulus Kilawangs of the NDC and Siyako Anthony Yaro of the PDP.
IMO STATE
Imo East: Uzodinma Ezebuihe Anayochukwu of the APC, Ofoegbu Uchenna Daniel of the ADC, Onyeagocha Uchechukwu of the NDC and Madume Prince Eze of the PDP.
Imo West: Governor Uzodimma Goodhope of the APC will contest against Iwuchukwu Vincent of the ADC, Nwogu Nze Ndieze of the NDC and Onyereri Chukwudi Victor of the PDP.
Imo North: Ndubueze Patrick of the APC, Ibekwe Nkiru of the ADC, Omegara Mathew of the NDC and Ejiogu Micheal Duru of the PDP.
JIGAWA STATE
Jigawa South-West: Ibraheem Sani Garba of the APC, Ahmed Isah Dutse of the ADC, Aminu Mustapha of the NDC and Suleiman Abba of the PDP.
Jigawa North-East: Madori Ahmed Abdulhamid Malam Ali of the APC, Muhammad Ubali Shitu of the ADC and Salisu Mamuda of the PDP.
Jigawa North-West: Hussaini Babangida Uba of the APC, Ahmed Mahmud Gumel of the ADC, Sabo Salisu of the NDC and Abdullahi Aminu Taura of the PDP.
KADUNA STATE
Kaduna North: Yero Mukhtar Ramalan of the APC, Khalid Ibrahim Mustapha of the ADC, Sha’aban Mohammad Turad of the NDC and Ahmed Abdullahi Zubairu of the PDP.
Kaduna Central: Sani Shehu of the APC, Lawal Adamu Usman of the ADC, Adamu Haruna of the NDC and Ibrahim Usman of the PDP.
Kaduna South: Marshall Sunday Katung of the APC, Godfrey Ali Gaiya of the ADC and Gumbari Joseph Mataimaki of the PDP.
KANO STATE
Kano Central: Shekarau Ibrahim of the APC will contest against Samaila Abdullahi Mukhtar of the ADC, Yusuf Nasiru Gawuna of the NDC and Sankara Nafiu Danladi.
Kano North: Deputy Senate President Barau I. Jibrin of the APC will face Saleh Shehu Kudawa of the ADC, Usman Sunusi Danbatta of the NDC and Sagir Abdulkadir Ahmad of the PDP.
Kano South: Kawa Suleiman Abdurrahaman of the APC, Baba Aminu Zubair of the ADC, Ibrahim Kassim Bataiya of the NDC and Isa Umar Sambo of the PDP.
KATSINA STATE
Katsina North: Yahaya Nasir of the APC, Lawal Sani of the ADC, Yahaya Aminu of the NDC and Daura Umar Dauda of the PDP.
Katsina Central: Abubakar Sadiq Yar’Adua of the APC, Lawal Sani of the ADC and Abdulaziz Amina Lawal Rafindadi of the PDP.
Katsina South: Dandutse Muntari Mohammed of the APC, Lawal Umar of the ADC, Hussain Ishaq Suleim of the NDC and Bawa Rabiu of the PDP.
KEBBI STATE
Kebbi North: Adamu Muhammad Aliero of the APC, Mera Ibrahim Mohammed of the ADC, Abdurrahaman Aliyu of the NDC and Mukhtar Mohammed Tafarki of the PDP.
Kebbi Central: Adamu Mohammed Aliero of the APC, Aminu Bande of the ADC, Umar Yarotela of the NDC and Andarai Haruna Saidu of the PDP.
Kebbi South: Muhammed Ja’afaru Ngaski of the APC, Maidoki Garba Musa of the ADC, Hassan Mustapha of the NDC and Abubakar Hamza of the PDP.
KOGI STATE
Kogi Central: Former Governor Yahaya Bello of the APC will contest against Ogembe Salau Ahmed of the ADC, Salau Muritala Audu of the NDC and Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan of the PDP.
Kogi East: Ameh Erico Joseph of the APC, Abubakar Aminu Suleiman of the ADC, Ameh Peter Ojonugwa of the NDC and Muhammed Abdullahi of the PDP.
Kogi West: Karimi Sunday of the APC, Musa Ibrahim Ahmadu of the ADC, Fatosa Olumuyiwa Adedokun of the NDC and Yusuf Ayo Tajudeen of the PDP.
KWARA STATE
Kwara Central: Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of the APC will contest against Abdulahi Risikat Motunrayo of the ADC, Suleiman Abdulrasheed Olufemi Omoda of the NDC and Saliu Mustapha of the PDP.
Kwara North: Umar Sadiq of the APC, Bala Taoheed Usman of the ADC, Gana Thomas Audu of the NDC and Kolo Baba Jiya of the PDP.
Kwara South: Adewoye Olalekan of the APC, Oyedepo Iyiola of the ADC, Oni Samuel Omoniyi of the NDC and Popoola Adekeye Lekan Saheed of the PDP.
LAGOS STATE
Lagos Central: Sanni Eshilokun Wasiu of the APC will face Abayomi Idowu Omotayo of the ADC, Johnson Lawrence Adeniyi Oladipupo of the NDC and Dakova-Vaughan Kolawole David of the PDP.
Lagos East: Abiru Adetokunbo Mukhail of the APC, Moshood Babatunde Olanrewaju of the ADC, Adebanjo Adeola Damilola of the NDC and Adeniji Victoria of the PDP.
Lagos West: 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.
NASARAWA STATE
Nasarawa North: Governor Sule Abdullahi of the APC will face Victor Affiku Tsaku of the ADC, Danladi James of the NDC and Madaki Benbella Anthony of the PDP.
Nasarawa West: Haruna Dauda of the APC, Umar Musa Galadima of the ADC, Adamu Auta Umar Farouq of the NDC and Kaura Danlami Kefas of the PDP.
Nasarawa South: Abdul Ibrahim Baba of the APC, Hassan Abubakar Nalaraba of the ADC, Baba Ayinwulu of the NDC and Agbo-Omeri Mike of the PDP.
NIGER STATE
Niger East: Musa Mohammed Sani of the APC, Ahmed Mohammed Mukhtar of the ADC and Bawa John Agmada of the NDC.
Niger North: Bello Abubakar Sani of the APC, Abdullahi Shehu Mohammed of the ADC, Bawa Joshua Nuhu of the NDC and Abdullahi Yahaya of the PDP.
Niger South: Idris Mohammed Sani of the APC, Umar Danjuma Emimaru of the ADC, Sadiq Mohammed Rabiu of the NDC and Jiya Peter Ndalikali of the PDP.
OGUN STATE
Ogun State is expected to be one of the closely watched battlegrounds, with the state’s three senatorial districts featuring candidates from the major political parties.
Ogun Central: Salisu Shuaibu Afolabi of the APC will contest against Samuel Oluwafemi Abiodun-Oni of the ADC, George-Taylor Oluwadurotimi of the NDC and Obasanjo Iyabo of the PDP.
Ogun East: Governor Dapo Abiodun of the APC will contest the senatorial seat against Adebanjo Babatunde Olalekan of the ADC, Shokoya Adewale Oluwasegun of the NDC and Omotayo Oluwafemi Abdulhameed of the PDP.
Ogun West: Ojugbele Jimo Olusola of the APC, Olanrewaju Abdul-Lateef Ajani of the ADC, Abioro Itunu of the NDC and Ogunola Babatunde of the PDP.
The Ogun East contest is particularly significant because Governor Abiodun is among the governors whose current tenure will end in 2027, making his reported senatorial bid one of the major political developments to watch in the state.
Global Mirror News reports that the outcome of the three Ogun senatorial contests could have implications for the political balance in the state, particularly as the parties intensify their grassroots mobilisation ahead of the election.
ONDO STATE
Ondo North: Ipinsagba Olajide Emmanuel of the APC, Foluso Mayowa Felix Adefemi of the ADC, Daodu Babatunde of the NDC and Adenekan Olateru Olagbegi of the PDP.
Ondo Central: Adegbonmire Adeniyi Ayodele of the APC, Akinyelure Patrick Ayo of the ADC and Falaiye Olugbenga of the NDC.
Ondo South: Kekemeke Duerimini Isaacs of the APC, Tofowomo Gbadamosi Tola of the ADC, Nejo Myson Adeyemi of the NDC and Oyerinmade Mathew Oye of the PDP.
OSUN STATE
Osun Central: Adegoke Rasheed Adekunle of the APC, Olaoye Akeem of the ADC, Oduyemi Morenikeji Nathaniel of the NDC, Fadeyi Olubiyi Oluwole of the PDP and Ganiyu Ayobami Olaoluwa of Accord.
Osun East: Fadahunsi Francis Adenigba of the APC, Babatunde Olaniyi Loye of the ADC, Derin-Ologbenla Charles Adewale of the NDC and Fadipe Ibukun Isola of Accord.
Osun West: Ogunbiyi Akinade Akanmu of the APC, Oriolowo Adelere of the ADC, Ayoola Alaba of the NDC and Oyewumi Kamorudeen Olalere of Accord.
OYO STATE
Oyo Central: Akintunde Yunus Abiodun of the APC, Kamil Akinlabi of the ADC, Salawu Akeem of the NDC, Olunloyo Ayobami of the PDP and Olufemi Ajadi of the APM.
Oyo North: Ogunesan Hannah Olawumi of the APC, Agoro Lanre Adehirah of the ADC, Ojekunle Abigail Olanike of the NDC, Adeoye Beulah Olufemi of the PDP and Sina Peller of the APM.
Oyo South: Oseni Abasi Aderemi of the APC, Lukman Adeola Adetunji of the ADC, Abdulateef Gbolagade of the NDC, Adeleke Kehinde Saheed of the PDP and Adedeji Dhikrullahi Olajide of the APM.
PLATEAU STATE
Plateau North: Mwadkwon Simon Davou of the APC, Rose Bitrus Mwanti of the ADC, Bature Musa Jonathan of the NDC and Gwottson Dalyop.
Plateau Central: Kasuwa Bitrus David of the APC, Yusuf Bello of the ADC, Yusuf Ishaku of the NDC and Goliath Timothy of the PDP.
Plateau South: Lalong Simon Bako of the APC, Solomon Selcap Dalung of the ADC, Kefas Peter Dandam of the NDC and Shekarau Johnbull of the PDP.
RIVERS STATE
Rivers East: Onyesoh Allwell Iheacho of the APC, Agwor Samuel Ndubuisi of the ADC, Okwuwolu Wolu Benjamin of the NDC and Anele Akor Wisdom of the PDP.
Rivers South-East: Osarosaka Ebenezer Erewari of the APC, Ikuru Tele Betram of the ADC, Abiante Awaji-Inombek of the NDC and Nwogu Olaka of the PDP.
Rivers West: Obuah Amechi Felix of the APC, Otto Josiah of the ADC, Ogbobula Isaac of the NDC and Job Vincent of the PDP.
SOKOTO STATE
Sokoto North: Wamakko Aliyu Magatakarda of the APC, Maishinko Mani Katami of the ADC, Abubakar Mainasara Sani of the NDC and Maccido Ahmed of the PDP.
Sokoto East: Tukur Muhammad of the APC, Hassan Muhammad of the ADC, Ummar Maisalati of the NDC and Umar Abubakar of the PDP.
Sokoto South: Abdullahi Ibrahim Danbaba of the APC, Yabo Faruk Malami of the ADC, Tanimu Bodinga of the NDC and Yusuf Dahiru of the PDP.
TARABA STATE
Taraba North: Lau Shuaibu Isa of the APC, Maigari Kasimu Bello of the ADC, Bandawa Anfani of the NDC and Bubajoda Hilkiah of the PDP.
Taraba Central: Manu Haruna of the APC, Ahmadu Benni Umaru Salim of the ADC, Nyan-Ganji Gilbert Gills of the NDC and Iliyasu Goje of the PDP.
Taraba South: Aliyu Yusuf of the APC, Afiniki Yarima of the ADC, Ezekiel Yakubu Ambo of the NDC and Istifanus Musa of the PDP.
YOBE STATE
Yobe North: Lawan Ahmad Ibrahim of the APC, Imamuddeen Ahmad Abubakar Talba of the ADC and Abubakar Chigari of the PDP.
Yobe East: Governor Buni Mai Mala of the APC will contest against Kale Kawu of the ADC and Mustapha Maigoro of the PDP.
Yobe South: Bomai Ibrahim Mohammed of the APC, Gambo Jajere Baba of the ADC, Hassan Mohammed of the NDC and Hamma Ibrahim Barde of the PDP.
ZAMFARA STATE
Zamfara North: Sahabi Ya’u of the APC, Shehu Rafi of the ADC, Nasiru Garba of the NDC and Musa Hanafi Moriki of the PDP.
Zamfara Central: Bilbis Ikra Aliyu of the APC, Abubakar Atiku Sale of the ADC, Ibrahim Sanusi of the NDC and Bala Sanusi of the PDP.
Zamfara West: Abdulaziz Yari of the APC, Ibrahim Mikailu Barau of the ADC, Abdullahi Hassan Anka of the NDC and the PDP candidate listed in the supplied material after this point was incomplete.
SENATE RACE ENTERS NEW PHASE
The release of the final candidate list effectively moves the 2027 senatorial contest into a more competitive phase, as candidates and their parties now have a defined field of opponents.
Beyond party structures, the contests are expected to be influenced by factors including incumbency, political alliances, popularity of candidates, grassroots structures, campaign resources, zoning arrangements and the strength of each party across individual senatorial districts.
The presence of governors, former governors, serving senators, former lawmakers and other prominent political figures is also expected to increase the political temperature in several states.
Global Mirror News gathered that the senatorial elections will be particularly important to the political parties because the eventual composition of the Senate will determine the strength of the next National Assembly and could influence legislative priorities, oversight activities and the relationship between the legislature and the executive arm of government.
As campaigns gather momentum, candidates are expected to take their messages to communities, wards and local government areas while seeking the support of voters across the various senatorial districts.
However, the candidate information supplied for this report contains some apparent inconsistencies, omissions and duplicated entries, including some party affiliations and incomplete names. These should be cross-checked against INEC’s official final publication before being treated as definitive.
The 2027 senatorial race has nevertheless clearly begun to take shape, with political heavyweights and new contenders preparing for what is expected to be one of the most closely watched legislative contests in Nigeria’s political history.
