A TOTAL of 1,303 candidates are seeking election to Nigeria’s 109 senatorial seats in the 2027 general elections, with women accounting for just 123 of the candidates, compared with 1,180 men.
News Point Nigeria reports that the figures are contained in the final list of candidates released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) ahead of the 2027 elections.
The list shows that female candidates are contesting Senate seats across several states and the Federal Capital Territory, with some seeking to return to the chamber and others making their first attempt to secure a seat in the National Assembly.
The list includes serving lawmakers, former political office holders and new entrants to the electoral contest, representing different political parties.
Their participation comes as political parties prepare for campaigns and mobilisation ahead of the elections, which will determine the composition of the Senate in the 10th National Assembly.
A review of the final list shows women flying the flags of different political parties, including the All Progressives Congress (APC), African Democratic Congress (ADC), Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Among the prominent names on the list are Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who is contesting for Kogi Central on the PDP platform; Ireti Kingibe, the ADC candidate for the Federal Capital Territory; former lawmaker Nkechi Nwaogu, who is running for Abia Central under the NDC; and former Lagos Deputy Governor Idiat Oluranti Adebule, the APC candidate for Lagos West.
Other female candidates are spread across states including Anambra, Benue, Cross River, Ebonyi, Edo, Ekiti, Enugu, Gombe, Imo, Katsina, Kwara, Ogun, Oyo, Plateau and Taraba.
Below is the full list of the 123 women seeking Senate seats in the 2027 general elections, as contained in the final list:
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)
Federal Capital Territory (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
Al 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 Dike Chinonso (APP)
Itubo Beatrice (LP)
Lessi Naasi Susan (SDP)
Ololube Charity Chizhim (AA)
Abusi Tammy C (ADP)
Opoli Aneni Inyamoyio (DLA)
Sokari George Georgina (NNPP)
Sokoto
Abdulrahman Halima (APM)
Taraba
Afiniki Yarima (APGA)
Yubuin Victoria Samuel (LP)
Zamfara
Muhammad Fatima (ZLP)
Sipawa Aisha (ADP)