2027 Election: INEC Lists 1,303 Senate Candidates as Akpabio, Uzodimma, Oshiomhole Battle for Seats

The race for Nigeria’s 109 Senate seats is set for a major political showdown, with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) listing 1,303 candidates sponsored by 21 political parties for the 2027 general elections.

The list includes several high-profile political figures seeking seats in the 11th National Assembly, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, former Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole, Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma and former Senate President Ahmed Lawan.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has the highest number of senatorial candidates with 109, followed by the African Democratic Congress (ADC) with 108 and the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) with 94. The Allied Peoples Movement (APM) has 104 candidates, while the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has 101.

Other parties on the list include the Social Democratic Party with 95 candidates, Action Democratic Party with 92, Action Peoples Party with 69, Labour Party with 68, Accord with 67, National Rescue Movement with 65 and Young Progressive Party with 60. The Zenith Labour Party has 51 candidates, while smaller parties have fewer candidates across the 109 senatorial districts.

Several serving and former political office holders are also seeking fresh mandates. They include former Zamfara Governor Abdulaziz Yari, former Bayelsa Governor Seriake Dickson, former Sokoto Governor Aliyu Wamakko, former Abia Governor Orji Kalu, former aviation minister Stella Oduah and Kogi Central Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.

Former Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa and Gombe State Governor Inuwa Yahaya are also among the prominent names listed. Uzodimma, who previously represented Imo West in the Senate before becoming governor, is seeking a return to the upper chamber.

Beyond the individual contests, the senatorial election is expected to shape the battle for the Senate Presidency of the 11th National Assembly. Akpabio is widely expected to seek another term as Senate President if he retains his Akwa Ibom North-West seat, but Uzodimma and Oshiomhole are among the senior politicians whose names have featured in calculations over the chamber’s leadership.

The leadership contest could also be influenced by the number of returning senators and the political balance that emerges after the election. An earlier Senate rule requiring presiding officers to be ranking returning senators was rescinded in May 2026, reopening the possibility of newly elected senators competing for leadership positions.

The presidential and National Assembly elections are scheduled for January 16, 2027, while governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections are slated for February 6. The composition of the next Senate could ultimately determine not only who controls the chamber but also who emerges as Nigeria’s number-three political office holder.