INEC Lists Candidates for 2027 Senate Elections

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced 1,303 candidates from political parties who will contest for the 109 senatorial seats and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) seat in the 2027 general elections.

The list includes candidates from 21 political parties aiming for the 109 seats in the Senate, which is Nigeria's top legislative body.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has 109 candidates, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has 108, and the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has 94.

Other parties include the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) with 104 candidates; the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) with 101; the Social Democratic Party (SDP) with 95; the Action Democratic Party (ADP) with 92; and the Action Peoples Party (APP) with 69.

The Labour Party (LP) has 68 candidates; Accord has 67; the National Rescue Movement (NRM) has 65; Young Progressive Party (YPP) has 60; Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) has 51; Action Alliance (AA) has 39; the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has 33; the National Democratic Party (NDP) has 32; the Democratic Labour Alliance (DLA) has 27; the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) has 27; the African Action Congress (AAC) has 25; the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has 21; Boot Party (BP) has seven; and Young Progressives (YP) has four.

Among the well-known candidates are Godswill Akpabio, the current Senate president; Barau Jibrin, the deputy Senate president; and Adams Oshiomhole, a former governor of Edo State, all seeking re-election on APC tickets.

Others looking to return include Abdulaziz Yari, a former governor of Zamfara State and director-general of President Bola Tinubu’s Campaign Council; Ahmed Lawan, a former Senate president; Seriake Dickson, a former governor of Bayelsa State and national leader of the NDC; Aliyu Wamakko, a former governor of Sokoto State; and Orji Kalu, a former governor of Abia State. They are all seeking another chance in the Senate.

Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the senator for Kogi Central, is also on the list, along with Stella Oduah, a former aviation minister and ex-senator for Anambra North.

Hope Uzodimma, the current governor of Imo State and former senator for Imo West, is also listed. He is a member of the APC and Secretary of Tinubu’s campaign team.

Other notable names include Ifeanyi Okowa, a former governor of Delta State, and Inuwa Yahaya, the current governor of Gombe.

The presidential and National Assembly elections are set for 16 January 2027, while the governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections will take place on 6 February 2027.

Alongside the senatorial races, the 2027 elections are expected to lead to another contest for Senate leadership. The winners will play a big part in deciding who becomes the Senate President in the 11th National Assembly.

The Senate president, a key position in Nigeria, is chosen by senators from among themselves after a new Senate is sworn in. This means the 2027 senatorial elections will be important for the race for Senate leadership.

The contest is already stirring political strategies within the APC. Akpabio is widely expected to run for another term if he wins his Akwa Ibom North-West seat.

Akpabio became Senate president in June 2023 after defeating Yari in the leadership contest for the 10th Senate. If he returns to the Senate, he will have the advantage of experience and incumbency in the leadership race for the 11th Senate.

But he will not be the only candidate.

Uzodimma is also in the mix for the Senate presidency. He was a senator for Imo West from 2011 to 2019 before becoming governor in 2020.

The rules for choosing presiding officers are also part of the political discussions. The Senate had changed the rules to require candidates for leadership positions to be returning senators. But this change was reversed in May 2026 after pushback and legal concerns, making it possible for first-time senators to join the leadership race.

Another possible candidate is Oshiomhole, a former Edo State governor and current senator for Edo North. His experience as a governor and former APC national chairman makes him a strong figure in the leadership contest.

With many senior politicians aiming for Senate seats, the 2027 elections could bring not just new lawmakers but also fresh battles for control of the chamber.

While Akpabio seems ready to run for a second term as Senate president, the final outcome will depend on the makeup of the 11th Senate, the zoning plans of the APC, and how well each candidate can gain support from their fellow senators.