Govs, ex-govs threaten senators’ return tickets to N’Assemby

A major political shake-up is looming ahead of the 2027 general elections as governors, former governors and other influential political figures intensify moves to take over seats in the National Assembly, putting the return bids of many serving senators at risk.

Findings by Sunday PUNCH indicated that more than 45 per cent of current senators may struggle to secure return tickets amid fierce battles over party structures, consensus arrangements and alleged imposition of candidates by powerful political interests.

The development has already triggered internal tensions across major political parties, particularly within the ruling All Progressives Congress, where several outgoing governors are positioning themselves for Senate seats ahead of the end of their tenure in 2027.

Among senators believed unlikely to return to the Red Chamber are Saliu Mustapha (Kwara Central), Suleiman Sadiq (Kwara North), Lola Ashiru (Kwara South), Solomon Adeola (Ogun West), Adetokunbo Abiru (Lagos East), Ahmad Lawan (Yobe North), Tahir Monguno and Kaka Lawan (Borno), Sarafadeen Alli and Abdulfatah Buhari (Oyo), Aliyu Ahmed (Nasarawa West), and Buba Umar Shehu (Bauchi South).

Senator Jimoh Ibrahim (Ondo South) has also exited the race following his appointment as Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations.

Several other senators are equally battling uncertain political futures amid indications that the APC may not guarantee automatic return tickets for lawmakers seeking re-election.

Those reportedly facing uphill battles include Ireti Kingibe (FCT), Lawal Usman (Kaduna Central), Khalid Mustapha (Kaduna North), Gbenga Daniel (Ogun East), Kelvin Chukwu (Enugu East), Abba Moro (Benue South), Emmanuel Udende (Benue North-East), Titus Zam (Benue North-West), Ned Nwoko (Delta North), and Peter Ndalikali (Niger South).

Kingibe, elected on the platform of the Labour Party, is said to be facing mounting pressure from political forces loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, who is believed to be backing former senator Philip Aduda for the FCT seat.

In Kogi Central, senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan is also facing a difficult re-election battle as former governor of the state, Yahaya Bello, intensified efforts to reclaim the district for the APC.

The unfolding political realignments come barely one week after the Senate reversed controversial amendments to its Standing Orders which would have barred first-time senators from contesting principal offices in the 11th National Assembly.

Before the reversal, amendments to Orders 4 and 5 of the Senate Rules required lawmakers seeking leadership positions to have served at least two consecutive terms, a move widely interpreted as an attempt to shut out incoming governors and former governors eyeing the Senate Presidency and other principal offices in 2027.

The decision sparked backlash within political circles, especially as several governors completing their second terms are already positioning themselves for senatorial tickets.

Among governors expected to leave office in 2027 and reportedly eyeing Senate seats are AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq (Kwara), Abdullahi Sule (Nasarawa), Ahmadu Fintiri (Adamawa), Babagana Zulum (Borno), Muhammadu Yahaya (Gombe), Mai Mala Buni (Yobe), Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos), Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Seyi Makinde (Oyo), and Bala Mohammed (Bauchi).

Although Governors Douye Diri of Bayelsa and Hope Uzodimma of Imo will complete their tenures in 2028 due to off-cycle elections, both have also been linked with Senate ambitions.

In Imo State, the APC leadership has reportedly endorsed Uzodimma for the Imo West senatorial seat despite the interest of incumbent Senator, Osita Izunaso and former governor Rochas Okorocha.

Similarly, Governor Dapo Abiodun interest in Ogun East has set up a potential clash with incumbent senator Gbenga Daniel.

In Gombe State, former governor and serving senator Danjuma Goje is believed to have lost support for a fifth Senate term following a zoning arrangement favouring a candidate aligned with Governor Muhammadu Yahaya.

In Yobe, Senator Musa Mustapha reportedly stepped aside after APC stakeholders endorsed Governor Mai Mala Buni for the Yobe East senatorial seat, while Governor Abdullahi Sule has emerged as the consensus candidate for Nasarawa North.

Governor Ahmadu Fintiri has also reportedly secured endorsement for Adamawa North.

In Delta State, former governor Ifeanyi Okowa is being positioned to challenge Senator Ned Nwoko for Delta North.

Meanwhile, several former senators are plotting returns to the National Assembly.

Those reportedly seeking comebacks include former Deputy Senate President, Ovie Omo-Agege, Bala Na’Allah, Tolu Odeseyi, Victor Pam, Ben Murray-Bruce, Shehu Sani and Ayo Arise, among others.

Commenting on the development, Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Abdulmumin Abdulsalam, said the party would not impose candidates.

“We have been watching the ongoing political drama especially regarding the issue of consensus candidates, which the ruling party seemed to have embraced. As of today, we don’t have an arrangement for consensus candidates. Our nomination system will be opened and fair to all,” he said.

Abdulsalam also claimed that many aspirants were defecting from the APC and other parties to the NDC due to fears of manipulation and unfair primaries.

“We are fully prepared because many people are rushing from the APC and other parties to the NDC, either to avoid legal encumbrances or for fear of being denied fair competition in those parties,” he added.

On concerns that internal disputes could destabilise the party, he said safeguards had been established to reduce grievances.

“We are doing everything possible to put safeguards in place to make sure that candidates do not feel aggrieved. Of course, you can’t satisfy everybody,” he stated.

Also speaking, National Chairman of the New Nigeria Peoples Party, Yusuf Bala, warned against what he described as attempts to entrench a one-party state.

“The fear that Nigerians are nursing about a looming one-party system and the desperation by the APC governors to install their anointed candidates at the 11th National Assembly is justified.

“But as party managers, we are working towards getting our platforms to participate and get credible candidates against the ones the ruling party will field,” he said.

He also urged the Independent National Electoral Commission to ensure fairness and provide a level playing field for all parties.

“INEC has to play a very key role by being fair and giving an enabling environment to all political parties to participate,” he added.

Labour Party National Publicity Secretary, Ken Asogwa, dismissed speculation that Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe could lose his seat in Abia State.