The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has unveiled the names of 1,303 politicians cleared to compete for seats in Nigeria’s Senate during the 2027 general elections.
The electoral body’s publication covers contenders for the 109 senatorial constituencies nationwide, alongside the senatorial representation of the Federal Capital Territory. In total, nominees from 21 political organisations are featured in the document.
Among the parties participating in the legislative race, the All Progressives Congress (APC) has the largest representation, with 109 names submitted across the country. The African Democratic Congress (ADC) follows with 108 candidates, while the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has 94.
The Allied Peoples Movement (APM) presented 104 candidates, while the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has 101. The Social Democratic Party (SDP) submitted 95 contenders, with the Action Democratic Party (ADP) recording 92 and the Action Peoples Party (APP) fielding 69.
The publication also shows that 68 candidates will contest under the Labour Party (LP), while Accord has 67. The National Rescue Movement (NRM) submitted 65 names, followed by the Young Progressive Party (YPP) with 60 candidates.
The Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) has 51 contenders, while the Action Alliance (AA) has 39. The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) submitted 33 candidates, with the National Democratic Party (NDP) recording 32.
The Democratic Labour Alliance (DLA) and Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) each have 27 candidates. The African Action Congress (AAC) has 25, while the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) submitted 21 names.
At the lower end of the list, the Boot Party (BP) has seven candidates, while the Young Progressives (YP) has four.
A number of high-profile politicians are among those seeking election to the upper legislative chamber.
The names include Senate President Godswill Akpabio and his deputy, Barau Jibrin. Former Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole is also listed among the candidates.
Former Zamfara State Governor Abdulaziz Yari is another notable contender. Yari, who has been associated with President Bola Tinubu’s campaign structure, is listed alongside former Senate President Ahmed Lawan.
Former Bayelsa State Governor Seriake Dickson, who is also identified as a prominent figure within the NDC, appears on the list.
Other former governors seeking Senate seats include Aliyu Wamakko of Sokoto State and Orji Kalu of Abia State.
The commission’s publication also features Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the serving senator for Kogi Central, as well as former Aviation Minister Stella Oduah, who previously represented Anambra North in the Senate.
Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma, a former senator representing Imo West, is also listed as a candidate. The APC chieftain is identified as part of the structure supporting Tinubu’s campaign.
Former Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa and serving Gombe State Governor Inuwa Yahaya are also among the prominent names contained in the document.
The publication comes as political activities intensify ahead of the 2027 elections. Based on the announced timetable, the presidential and National Assembly elections will take place on January 16, 2027, while voting for governors and State Houses of Assembly is scheduled for February 6, 2027.
