As preparations for the 2027 general election gather momentum across the country, several sitting governors, despite having completed their tenure as two-term governors, are eyeing a senatorial bid as their next line of occupation, or, to put it simply, their next elective role.

Surprisingly, the governors, with no iota of remorse, have abandoned their primary duty to commence their respective consultations and political negotiations across their constituencies ahead of the anticipated general elections with the aim of securing a seat in the 11th Senate after leaving office.

The way the trajectory is going, it seems the governors were considering the Senate as their retirement plan from politics or just wanted to use the 11 Senate to keep being relevant in the political scene, as the electorate does forget political actors after a long stay out of public space.

New Telegraph had earlier reported that across several states and political parties, succession battles and internal party alignments are already shaping the contest for senatorial tickets within both the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Peope’s Democratic Party (ADC), African Democratic Party (ADC), Labour Party (LP), Social Democratic Party (SDP), Nigeria Democratic Party (NDC), Accord Party, and among several other opposition parties.

Governors With Senatorial Bid Ahead Of 2027 Elections

Here are the names and profiles of incumbent governors who are vying for a senatorial seat ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Dapo Abiodun

The number one governor on our list is the Executive Governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun, who is reportedly vying for the  All Progressives Congress (APC) ticket for the Ogun East Senatorial District.

New Telegraph gathered that the reported interest of Governor Abidoun is expected to reshape political calculations within the APC, as the former Governor of the state, Senator Gbenga Daniel, who is the current Senator, is seeking a return to the Senate.

However, the declaration of Governor Abiodun as the consensus candidate for the Ogun East Senatorial district has sparked a crisis and tension within the ruling party.

Hope Uzodimma

Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State is another governor strongly linked to a senatorial bid ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Governor Uzodimma, who is expected to wrap up his tenure sometime in January 2028, is vying to represent the Imo West Senatorial District.

Despite holding an off-cycle election in Imo State, Governor Uzodimma has been vocal about his intention to run for the 2027 senatorial race on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

According to the news making rounds, Uzodimma is moving to be the next Senate President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which is currently unsettling the leadership of the 10th Senate.

Bala Mohammed

Despite the political hurdles that threaten the stability, development, and effective governance of the state, the executive Governor of Bauchi State, Bala Mohammed, has been strongly linked with a Senatorial bid ahead of the 2027 general elections, with his tenure expiration on May 29, 2027.

New Telegraph reports that the Governor will be contesting for the Bauchi South Senatorial District on the platform of the Allied People’s Movement (APM).

Declaring his bid to run for the Senate after his defection from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to the APM, Governor Mohammed announced that he had picked up the party’s senatorial nomination form and noted that he had commenced consultations. 

Mohammed said after consultations with political associates, stakeholders and supporters across the country, the APM emerged as the political platform that aligned with their collective vision and aspirations.

Babagana Umara Zulum

Another Governor who topped our list is the Executive Governor of Borno State, Prof. Babagana Umaru Zulum, who is set to vie for the Borno Central Senatorial District seat in the 11th Senate, amid his tenure’s expiration on May 29, 2027.

New Telegraph had earlier reported that Governor Zulum, a two-term Governor, openly declared his intention to run for the senatorial seat last month following his visit to his constituency.

Zulum’s possible Senate ambition has continued to gain traction in Borno politics ahead of the 2027 general elections.

AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq

Another governor joining the Senatorial race ahead of the 2027 general election is the incumbent Governor of Kwara State, AbdulRahman AbdulRasaq.

New Telegraph gathered that the governor will be running for the Kwara Central Senatorial District on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Political observers say ongoing consultations within the APC in Kwara are linked to efforts to secure a soft landing for the governor at the National Assembly.

However, he was screened and running unopposed as the sole aspirant for the party’s ticket in the senatorial election.

Abdullahi Sule

The Excutive Governor of Nasarawa State, Abdullahi Sule, is yet another Governor eyeing the senatorial seat after the completion of his tenure in office as a two-term  Governor of the State.

New Telegraph gathered that, though he said he was still weighing the option following the reported call from his constituency to represent the constituent, Nasarawa North Senatorial District, at the Red Chamber, Governor Sule had also publicly declared his intention to vie for the position.

Political stakeholders in the state have continued consultations over possible succession arrangements and power balancing.

Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri

Governor Ahamdi Umaru Fintiri of Adamawa State has long, after his defection from the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), announced his intention to join the senatorial race in the Adamawa North Senatorial District at the 11th Senate.

New Telegraph had earlier reported that Governor Fintiri, on May 2, formally accepted the senatorial nomination form to contest for the Adamawa Northern Zone seat, signalling a potential transition from his current role as governor.

Political discussions in Adamawa have increasingly focused on his future role within the PDP structure in the state.

Mai Mala Buni

The Governor of Yobe State and former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mai Mala Buni, has also been linked to a senatorial bid in the 11th National Assembly after the completion of his second term in office on May 29, 2026.

Governor Buni, who publicly announced his intention to represent the good people of  Yobe East Senatorial District in the Senate on Sunday, May 9, 2026, have been calling on his constituents to back him in the senatorial ambition.

New Telegraph reports that some political stakeholders are already mobilising support for the Governor ahead of the 2027 elections.

Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya

The Governor of Gombe State, Muhammed Inuwa Yahaya, is yet another northern governor believed to be exploring post-governorship political options, including a possible move to the Senate as political succession talks continue within the state.

Governor Inuwa Yahaya is set to represent the people of Gombe North Senatorial District on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

New Telegraph reports that the Governor has been announced as the sole aspirant and consensus candidate for the district ahead of the party’s primary.

The current political phenomenon tends to explain a subtle mission for political preservation, as political observers have noted that the wave of governors running for the Senate somewhat reflects an inherent drive for political influence, which is largely seen as a ploy to assert control over party structures and further maintain their relevance in politics after serving their tenure as governors.

In the same vein, these ambitions are gradually triggering infighting and resistance from younger politicians who are seeking opportunities to emerge in the Senate in the 2027 elections.