At least 17 former Nigerian Governors are contesting for seats in the Senate ahead of the 2027 General elections.
This development reflects a growing trend with governors, some of whom are currently serving senators, are seeking to retain their positions, or return to the National Assembly after completing their tenures in their respective states.
Below are some of the former governors seeking senatorial seats in the 2027 elections:
1. Godswill Akpabio
The current Senate President and former Akwa Ibom State governor, Godswill Akpabio is seeking re-election to the Senate under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Akpabio governed Akwa Ibom State from 2007 to 2015 and has represented Akwa Ibom North-West Senatorial District since 2019.
He is seeking another term in the Senate after emerging as the APC candidate for the district.
2. Orji Kalu
He served as the former governor of Abia state from 1999 to 2007, before returning to elective politics in 2019.
Kalu secured the APC ticket for the 2027 election, and is seeking another term in the Senate, representing Abia North Senatorial District.
3. Adams Oshiomole
Adams Oshiomole served as the former governor of Edo State from 2008-2016 and was elected senator representing Edo North in 2023 on the APC platform.
He is seeking another term in the upper legislative chamber.
4. Henry Seriake Dickson
Former Bayelsa State governor Henry Seriake Dickson served as governor of Bayelsa State from 2012-2020.
He is seeking re-election to the Senate, representing Bayelsa West Senatorial District.
Unlike several other former governors on the list, he is contesting under the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) platform.
5. Ahmadu Fintiri
Ahmadu Fintiri completed his two terms, serving as the governor of Adamawa state from 2019-2027.
He is currently contesting for the Senate of the Adamawa Central Senatorial District. This would be his first attempt for a seat in the senate.
6. Bala Mohammad
Bala Mohammed also completed two terms, governing Bauchi State from 2019-2027.
He had previously served as a minister and a Senator representing Bauchi South. He is currently contesting for a seat in the Senate in the 2027 election.
7. Ifeanyi Okowa
Former Delta state governor Ifeanyi Okowa governed Delta State from 2015 to 2023 and previously represented Delta North in the Senate between 2011 and 2015.
He was also the vice-presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 general elections before securing the APC ticket for the 2027 senatorial contest.
8. Hope Uzodimma
The current governor of Imo state, Hope Uzodimma has served as the governor since 2020, following a court ruling in his favour.
He is contesting for a return to the Senate, where he previously represented Orlu Zone.
9. Inuwa Yahaya
Inuwa Yahaya has governed Gombe state since 2019, completing his second term in 2027.
He is also among the serving governors seeking a senatorial seat in the 2027 general elections.
10. Adamu Aliero
Adamu Aliero was the governor of Kebbi state from 1999 to 2007.
He has since served the Kebbi Central Senatorial District across multiple terms, and is currently seeking a seat in the upcoming elections.
11. Ibrahim Shekarau
Former Kano State Governor Ibrahim Shekarau governed Kano State from 2003 to 2011, previously represented Kano Central in the Senate between 2019 and 2023.
He is seeking a return to the Senate in the 2027 general elections, having secured the All Progressives Congress (APC) ticket for Kano Central Senatorial District.
12. Aminu Tambuwal
Aminu Tambuwal served as the governor of Sokoto state from 2015-2023.
He was also the speaker of House of Representatives, and is currently contesting for a seat in the Senate in the 2027 general elections.
13. Mai Mala Buni
Mai Mala Buni has governed Yobe State since 2019.
He is currently seeking a transition from the Government House in Damaturu to the National Assembly as his second term in office approaches its end.
14. Yahaya Bello
Former Kogi State governor Yahaya Bello is seeking election to the Senate, where he hopes to represent Kogi Central Senatorial District.
Bello governed Kogi State from 2016 to 2024 before completing his tenure.
He is contesting under the APC platform and will face opposition candidates, including the incumbent senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan of the PDP.
15. AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq
Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq is seeking election to the Senate in the 2027 general elections, where he will contest for the Kwara Central Senatorial District seat under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
AbdulRazaq, who assumed office in 2019, is expected to complete his second term as governor on May 29, 2027, and is seeking a transition to the National Assembly.
16. Dapo Abiodun
Dapo Abiodun became governor of Ogun State in 2019 and was re-elected in 2023 for a second four-year term.
He is seeking election to the Senate after completing his second term as governor.
17. Simon Lalong
Simon Lalong served Plateau State as governor from 2015-2023.
Lalong secured the APC senatorial ticket for Plateau South during the party’s National Assembly primaries held in May 2026.
18. Mukhtar Ramalan Yero
Former Kaduna State governor Mukhtar Ramalan Yero governed Kaduna State from 2012 to 2015 and is contesting for Kaduna North Senatorial District on the APC platform.
He will face candidates including the incumbent senator, Khalid Ibrahim Mustapha of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
The growing number of former governors seeking senatorial seats has renewed attention on the movement of political officeholders between executive and legislative positions in Nigeria.
The trend also raises questions about the influence of former governors in their respective states, particularly as some are expected to compete against incumbent senators and other political figures.
Their return to the National Assembly could also shape the composition and leadership dynamics of the 11th Senate, depending on the outcome of the elections.
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