Nine governors eye Senate seats as political activity around Nigeria’s 2027 general elections continues to intensify, with several serving state governors reportedly positioning themselves for positions in the National Assembly after completing their current terms.
The development is drawing attention because a successful transition by the governors would further increase the presence of former state chief executives in the Senate, where several former governors already serve as lawmakers.
Nine Governors Eye Senate Seats Ahead of 2027
The governors reportedly positioning themselves for Senate seats are Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State, Bala Mohammed of Bauchi, Douye Diri of Bayelsa, Dapo Abiodun of Ogun, Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa, Mai Mala Buni of Yobe, Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara and Hope Uzodimma of Imo.
Their reported ambitions are coming as political parties begin preparations for the 2027 elections, including the selection of candidates for the National Assembly. The Senate has 109 seats representing the country’s senatorial districts, meaning the emergence of serving governors as aspirants could affect contests in several states.
According to a report published by Radarr Africa on September 23, the nine governors are positioning themselves for Senate contests as they approach the end of their governorships. The report also noted that their possible transition could add to the number of former governors in the National Assembly.
Some of the governors already have experience in national politics. Bala Mohammed, for example, previously served in the Senate before becoming governor of Bauchi State, while Hope Uzodimma also served as a senator representing Imo West before returning to the Senate race from the executive side of government.
The movement from state government to the National Assembly is not new in Nigerian politics. Several former governors have previously contested or occupied Senate seats after leaving their state offices, making the latest developments part of a longer political pattern.
Senate Race Intensifies Across States
The reported plans have also created potential contests between governors and politicians already occupying or seeking the same senatorial positions. Earlier reporting by The Nation identified nine governors seeking Senate seats within the APC and highlighted several states where the nomination process could produce significant competition.
Among the contests identified in that report was Ogun East, where Dapo Abiodun was reported to be seeking the APC ticket, while Gombe Governor Inuwa Yahaya was linked to a contest involving his predecessor, former governor Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo. The report also identified other states, including Oyo, Ondo, Kwara and Kano, as areas where the party’s senatorial nomination process could attract significant attention.
The situation also means that the governors’ political plans could influence the wider structure of their respective states. Governors often have significant political influence within their states, and their decision to pursue Senate seats can affect the choice of candidates, party negotiations and the eventual shape of senatorial contests.
Reports have not been completely consistent about which governors should be included in the nine-person list. A May 2026 report by The Nation, for example, listed Babagana Zulum of Borno among the nine governors seeking Senate seats, while the more recent September report included Bayelsa Governor Douye Diri instead.
That difference is important because political ambitions can change as parties conduct screening, consultations and primaries. Being reported as positioning for a Senate seat does not necessarily mean that every governor has secured a party ticket or will ultimately appear on the ballot.
As preparations for the 2027 elections continue, the movement of serving governors into Senate contests is therefore expected to remain an important part of the political landscape. The final list of candidates will become clearer as political parties complete their nomination processes and the electoral process advances.
For now, the reported ambitions of the nine governors underline the growing competition for Senate seats and the continued movement of experienced state politicians towards the National Assembly ahead of the 2027 elections.