INEC publishes final Senate list as governors and incumbents lock in 2027 races
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has released the final list of candidates for the 2027 general elections, fixing the field for all 109 Senate seats in February.
Parties and aspirants now know whom they face. The race mixes governors leaving office in 2027, sitting and former senators, and newcomers who want a place in the next National Assembly. Campaigns can move from speculation to named opponents.
The list underlines how crowded some districts are. In Abia, incumbent Orji Uzor Kalu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) is listed in Abia North against African Democratic Congress (ADC), Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) challengers; Abia South includes Labour Party’s Enyinnaya Abaribe. Adamawa North lists Governor Ahmadu Fintiri for the APC. Bauchi South has Governor Bala Mohammed of the Allied Peoples Movement. Bayelsa West lists NDC national leader Seriake Dickson.
Borno seats include familiar APC names such as Mohammed Ali Ndume. Delta North lists former governor Ifeanyi Okowa for the APC. Edo North has Adams Oshiomhole; Ekiti Central and South keep Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele and spokesman Adeyemi Adaramodu. Gombe North lists Governor Yahaya Inuwa; Imo West lists Governor Hope Uzodinma. Kano North has Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin.
Kogi Central sets former governor Yahaya Bello of the APC against PDP’s Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. Kwara Central lists Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq; Ogun East lists Governor Dapo Abiodun. The Federal Capital Territory lists Philip Aduda of the APC against Ireti Kingibe of the ADC.
Other states follow the same four- or five-party pattern: APC, ADC, NDC and PDP in most districts, with Accord or the Allied Peoples Movement appearing in parts of Osun and Oyo. A few seats show a missing major-party name, which will matter if that gap funnels votes.
A published list does not decide a Senate. It ends the period when candidates could pretend the field was still fluid. Governors moving up, incumbents defending and opposition brands stacking the same district are now facts on INEC paper. The next fight is mobilisation, not nomination. Voters will meet these names on posters long before they meet them on a ballot.
