Ahead of the 2027 general elections, no fewer than 10 sitting governors are reportedly plotting to switch to the National Assembly after completing their two-term tenures, Egalitarian Voice has gathered.
Findings show that out of the current 109 senators, 10 are already former governors. The trend appears set to deepen as several incumbents prepare for a “retirement” in the red chamber.
Among the 12 governors in their second term are: Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri (Adamawa), Bala Mohammed (Bauchi), Douye Diri (Bayelsa), Babagana Zulum (Borno), Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya (Gombe), Hope Uzodimma (Imo), Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq (Kwara), Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos), Abdullahi Sule (Nasarawa), Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Seyi Makinde (Oyo), and Mai Mala Buni (Yobe).
Makinde, Uzodimma, Sanwo-Olu
Governor Seyi Makinde is said to be nurturing a presidential ambition rather than a senatorial run, while Uzodimma will still be in office beyond 2027. Sanwo-Olu’s next move remains unclear, with analysts noting that his predecessors, Fashola and Ambode, both shunned the Senate after leaving Alausa.
AbdulRazaq: Kwara’s Test Case
Governor Abdulrahman AbdulRazaq, also Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, is believed to be eyeing the Kwara Central seat currently occupied by Senator Saliu Mustapha. However, pundits argue the move may spark intra-party tension, especially with zoning expectations favouring Kwara North.
Zulum in Borno
In Borno, Governor Zulum is tipped to seek a Senate seat, possibly in either Central or Northern district, depending on how the 2027 governorship ticket shapes up. Both Senator Kaka Shehu Lawan and Chief Whip Tahir Monguno—his potential successors—are equally interested in the governorship.
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Diri, Bala, Sule: Mixed Signals
Supporters of Bayelsa Governor Douye Diri are already calling for his return to the Senate, while Bauchi’s Bala Mohammed is reportedly weighing a fallback option to the Senate if his vice-presidential ambition stalls. In Nasarawa, Governor Abdullahi Sule maintains he is undecided, stressing a current focus on governance, farming, and religious pursuits.
Rights Group Raises Alarm
Reacting to the development, Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) boss, Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, described the governors’ moves as unfair, calling for mandatory resignation before contesting.
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He argued that incumbents exploit state power and resources to edge out rivals during primaries and elections, only to become largely inactive in the Senate. “Most of them don’t even make themselves accessible to their constituents,” he said.
Credit: Blueprint
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