INEC 2027 Senate List – Mass Exit Looms In Red Chamber
Weeks after INEC released final list of qualified Senate candidates for 2027 general elections (from 18 parties), Tribune analysis shows HIGH TURNOVER staring Senate in the face.
- Total Candidates: 1,301 cleared for 109 Senate seats (later updated to 1,303) = ~11-12 per seat. 123 women, 1,180 men.
- Election Date: Presidential & NASS fixed for Saturday, Jan 16, 2027.
- Incumbents Out: At least 52 of 109 serving senators in 10th Senate NOT on final list – meaning they won't contest unless parties use withdrawal/substitution window (Sec 31 & 33 Electoral Act 2026 – withdrawal affidavit + 90 days rule).
Not all lost primaries. Many chasing other ambitions:
• Aliyu Wadada (Nasarawa) → APC governorship
• Osita Izunaso (Imo West) → ticket ceded to Gov Hope Uzodimma (returning to Senate)
• Gbenga Daniel (Ogun East) → ticket taken by Gov Dapo Abiodun
• Solomon Olamilekan Adeola (Ogun West) → APC guber ticket
• Aminu Tambuwal (Sokoto) → stepped aside for younger ADC candidate
• Similar in Yobe, Gombe – sitting governors took tickets (Mai Mala Buni Yobe East, Inuwa Yahaya Gombe etc)
Who Survived?
• Lagos: All 3 retained – Abiru (East), Adebule (West), Sanni (Central)
• Ekiti: All 3 – Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele (Central), Yemi Adaramodu (South), Cyril Fasuyi (North)
• Akwa Ibom: All 3 – Senate President Godswill Akpabio (North-West – in photo), Aniekan Bassey (North-East), Ekong Sampson (South)
• Borno: All 3 including Ndume (South)
Other big names ON list: Barau Jibrin (Kano North, Deputy President), Orji Uzor Kalu, Adams Oshiomhole (Edo North), Ireti Kingibe (FCT – ADC), Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (Kogi Central – PDP), Hope Uzodimma, Dapo Abiodun, Bala Mohammed (Bauchi South – APM), Ifeanyi Okowa, Yahaya Bello, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, Abdullahi Sule.
After Jan 16 poll, turnover will rise beyond 52 because some of the 57 who made list may still lose.
SOURCE: Tribune
