Nine serving Nigerian governors are positioning themselves to contest Senate seats ahead of the 2027 general elections, continuing a pattern in which state governors move to the National Assembly after completing their tenure.
The governors are Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa, 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. (Businessday NG)
Their planned transition to the Senate is already affecting political contests in their respective states, with some sitting senators facing competition from governors seeking to secure senatorial tickets.
The development could further increase the number of former governors serving in the National Assembly. The current 10th Senate already includes several former state governors, among them Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Danjuma Goje, Ibrahim Dankwambo, Abubakar Sani Bello, Seriake Dickson, Gbenga Daniel, Orji Uzor Kalu, Adams Oshiomhole, Adamu Aliero, Abdulaziz Yari, Aliyu Wamakko and Simon Lalong. (Businessday NG)
Several former governors have moved directly from state government to the Senate after completing their terms.
Danjuma Goje, who served as Gombe State governor from 2003 to 2011, entered the Senate after leaving office and has remained a member of the chamber.
Godswill Akpabio also followed a similar path after governing Akwa Ibom State from 2007 to 2015. He became a senator in 2015 and later served as Senate Minority Leader and Minister of Niger Delta Affairs before returning to the Senate in 2023. He is currently the Senate President. (Businessday NG)
Former Kebbi Governor Adamu Aliero also served in the Senate after leaving office in 2007 before becoming a federal minister.
Other former governors currently serving in the 10th Senate include Abdulaziz Yari, Simon Lalong, Abubakar Sani Bello, Adams Oshiomhole and Gbenga Daniel.
Some former governors who won Senate seats later left the chamber after receiving ministerial appointments. They include Dave Umahi of Ebonyi and Ibrahim Gaidam of Yobe.
Former governors such as Kashim Shettima, George Akume, Gabriel Suswam, Chimaroke Nnamani, Theodore Orji, Orji Uzor Kalu, Joshua Dariye, Jonah Jang, Sani Yerima, Ahmed Makarfi, Bukola Saraki, Tanko Al-Makura and Abdullahi Adamu have also served in the Senate at different times. (Businessday NG)
Why governors are seeking Senate seats
For governors approaching the end of their constitutional tenure, a Senate seat provides another route into national politics after leaving their state offices.
The move also allows former governors to participate in federal lawmaking while maintaining a presence within their political parties.
The growing number of former governors in the legislature has, however, prompted questions about the role their executive experience plays in parliamentary work.
The Senate race ahead of 2027 has already produced several notable contests involving serving and former governors.
For example, Governor Dapo Abiodun secured the APC senatorial ticket for Ogun East, while Governor Hope Uzodimma secured the APC ticket for Imo West. Governor Abdullahi Sule also secured the APC ticket for Nasarawa North. (Businessday NG)
The 2027 elections are therefore expected to feature a significant number of current and former governors seeking positions in the National Assembly, potentially increasing the presence of former state executives in the Senate.
