The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has released the final list of candidates for Nigeria's 109 senatorial seats ahead of the 2027 general elections, revealing that only 123 of the 1,303 aspirants are women. This means female candidates represent less than 10% of the total field, highlighting a significant gender gap in the race for the upper chamber.
Prominent Women on the 2027 Senate List
Several high-profile female politicians are among the 123 women contesting. Serving senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, is seeking re-election on the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) platform. FCT Senator Ireti Kingibe is contesting on the African Democratic Congress (ADC) ticket.
Other notable names include former Lagos Deputy Governor Idiat Oluranti Adebule, who is the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for the Lagos West senatorial seat. Iyabo Obasanjo, daughter of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, is also on the list, contesting in Ogun State under the PDP. Former senator Nkechi Nwaogu is making a bid for the Abia Central seat under the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).
Spread Across Parties and States
The female candidates are spread across multiple political parties, including the APC, PDP, ADC, NDC, and others such as the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Young Progressives Party (YPP), and Labour Party (LP). They are contesting seats across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
For instance, in Abia State, candidates include Umunnah Favour Ugochi (APM), Nkechi Nwaogu (NDC), Ihekandu Gladys Chioma (ZLP), and Nwosu Eucharia (APP). In Akwa Ibom, the list features Ukpong Mary Iniobong (AAC), Ibokette Princess Victoria (DLA), and Akpabio Patience Christopher Ibanga (ADC), among others.
Implications for the 10th National Assembly
The results of the 2027 elections will determine the composition of the next Senate, which will form part of the 10th National Assembly. Political parties are now preparing for campaigns, with the senatorial contests expected to draw significant public attention given the prominence of many candidates.
Below is the full list of the 123 women contesting for Senate seats in the 2027 election, as released by INEC:
Abia: Umunnah Favour Ugochi (APM), Nkechi Nwaogu (NDC), Ihekandu Gladys Chioma (ZLP), Nwosu Eucharia (APP)
Adamawa: Bagardi Charity (ADP)
Akwa Ibom: Ukpong Mary Iniobong (AAC), Ibokette Princess Victoria (DLA), Inyang Peace Martins (A), Udoudo Comfort Etim (AA), Akpan Unyime Mbono (AAC), Akpabio Patience Christopher Ibanga (ADC), Itongeshiet Amaiso Solomon (BP), Priscilla Akpanumo (ADP), Ekanem Joy Victor (AAC), Ufot Patricia Gabriel (ZLP)
Anambra: Oduah Stella Adaeze (APGA), Olieh Ndidi Christiana (NRM), Oliata Chinenye Edith (PDP), Ekwunife Uche Lilian (APC), Mbakwe Helen I. (ZLP), Benson-Oraelosi Chibuogwu Maryanne (APC)
Bauchi: Mohammed Safiya Illiasu (NNPP), Shehu Hannatu (ADP)
Bayelsa: Oruama Peace (APM), George Ruth (DLA), Iwokura Beauty (ZLP), Douglas Preye (A), Zuonaki Ebiere Esther (LP), Mohammed Tombra (YPP)
Benue: Achineku Vester Suur (ADP), Ortom Eunice Erdoo (PDP), Odeh Uleko Hannah (NDP)
Borno: Baba Gana Zannah (ADC)
Cross River: Amoikwen Godwin (LP), Ake Abuashe Grace (SDP), Mbeh Ifumi Ofere (YPP), Inyang Florence (PDP), Edet Helen Ekanem (YPP)
Delta: Dema Onome Bernice (LP), Omoraka Amanda (YPP), Nwabuokei Vivian Ify (A), Nwankwo Maryann Oluebube (APM), Avwivoerjore Esther (ZLP)
Ebonyi: Nwachi Maria Ude (PDP)
Edo: Okonofua Herberta Inemezele (ADC), Adudu Evelyn Omonigho (APM), Oisamoje Maria Evuarherhe (NDC), Ekhorutomwen Osahenoma (ADP), Epelle-Asemota Bridgitte Osayuki (NDC)
Ekiti: Fatuyi-Olajuyigbe Monica Adesola (PDP), Ayenioye Olabisi (PDP)
Enugu: Nwekeke Chinasa Annastesia (A), Ujam Cynthia Onyinye (APP), Aguocha Adaku Anna (NDC), Agu Philomina (A), Ani Juliet Nkechi (ADC), Ugwuogo Nkechi Jacinta (APM)
FCT: Omotosho Rashida Ololade (AA), Ireti Heebah Kingibe (ADC), Austenpeters-Pam Iyabode Amanda (NDC), Benyeogor Blessing Ufedojo (YPP)
Gombe: Hamma Tabitha (APM), Abdussalam Sarah (NRM), Salisu Khadija Yahaya (ZLP)
Imo: Ibe Chinazom Ibezue (A), Okafor Loveth (AA), Uzoma Betty Ijeuru (APGA), Igwe Ebere Stella (A), Ibekwe Nkiru (ADC)
Kaduna: Jenifer Agbaje (YPP), Badamasi Hafsat (ADP), Laura Yimi Lucas (SDP)
Kano: Aliyu Rabi (AAC), Muhammed Jamila (NDP)
Katsina: Alh. Samaila Amajir (SDP), Amina Lawal Rafindadi (APM)
Kebbi: Kabir Fatima (APM)
Kogi: Suzan Jagbadi (A), Akpoti-Uduaghan Natasha Hadiza (PDP), Patient Ogbadu Gold (A), Ocheja Berikisu (DLA), Olorunmagba Ekene (NRM)
Kwara: Temako Naomi (ADP), Ibrahim Ramat (APP), Owolabi Felicia (APM), Adesola Kehinde (AA), Abdulahi Risikat Motunrayo (ADC), Abdulkarim-Adisa Maryam Ayoola-Fadekemi (LP), Anifowoshe Grace (SDP)
Lagos: Maduka-Sunday Blessing Maria (A), Adebule Idiat Oluranti (APC), Adebowale Princess Teniola Anike (NNPP)
Ogun: Sado Evelyn Mayowa (BP), Awosusi Racheal (NRM), Obasanjo Iyabo (PDP), Itakpe Oluwayemisi Abiola (APM)
Ondo: Omolabaro Shina Omotilewa (NRM)
Osun: Adeniyi Yemisi (ADP), Becky Foluso James (DLA), Oguntade Sabainah Adebola (NRM), Onile Elizabeth Ifepade (ZLP), Oni Oluwatoyin Esther (NRM), Rufai Mariam Adeola (AA), Adesina Bola Dorcas (LP)
Oyo: Adediji-Ogunsanya Funmilayo Ayonade (NDP), Ogunesan Hannah Olawumi (APC), Ojekunle Abigail Olanike (NDC), Oloyede Esther (ADP)
Plateau: Luka Sekyen Lekshak (YPP), Rose Bitrus Mwanti (ADC), Inah Deborah Ajang (NRM)
Rivers: Wokekoro Beauty Chinonso (APP), Itubo Beatrice (LP), Lessi Naasi Susan (SDP), Ololube Charity Chizhim (A), Abusi Tammy C (ADP), Opoli Aneni Inyamioyo (DLA), Sokari George Georgina (NNPP)
Sokoto: Abdulrahman Halima (APM)
Taraba: Afiniki Yarima (APGA), Yubuin Victoria Samuel (LP)
Zamfara: Muhammad Fatima (ZLP), Spawa Aisha (ADP)
