INEC’s final list pits four parties for 109 Senate seats as 52 exit

• NDC makes broad push as PDP records gaps
•Two Reps, ex-lawmaker defect to APP, clinch tickets

With the release of the final list by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the All Progressives Congress (APC), African Democratic Congress (ADC), Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are up in arms for most of the 109 senatorial seats in the 2027 general elections.

The senatorial list, which reveals a significant difference in the reach of the major opposition parties, formally confirmed the exit of at least 52 serving senators, who have no chance of returning to the 11th National Assembly next year.

Meanwhile, the Action Peoples Party (APP) recorded a fresh boost with the defections of two serving members of the House of Representatives and a former federal lawmaker.

The candidates are contained in a document presented as the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the INEC’s final list of senatorial candidates for the election, which shows that the four parties fielded candidates across most senatorial districts, although some districts have fewer than four candidates because one or more parties did not nominate candidates.

Peter Obi’s NDC has candidates in a large majority of the senatorial districts listed by INEC, except Bauchi and Yobe states, Benue North-east, Jigawa North-east, Ekiti South and Kaduna South.

The list also throws up several high-profile contests involving serving or former political office holders.