Ahead of the 2027 general elections, a quiet but significant political shift is unfolding within Nigeria’s National Assembly, as nearly 20 federal lawmakers have indicated they will not seek re-election to the Senate or House of Representatives.
The development, involving prominent senators and members of the House of Representatives across several political parties, is already reshaping the political landscape ahead of the January 16, 2027 National Assembly elections fixed by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.
Most of the lawmakers are instead pursuing governorship ambitions in their respective states, while others are seeking different political offices or stepping aside entirely from electoral contests.
Among the senators not expected to return to the Red Chamber are Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, Abdul Ahmed Ningi, Kaka Shehu Lawan, Sarafadeen Alli, Abdulfatah Buhari, Aliyu Wadada Ahmed, Saliu Mustapha, Suleiman Umar Sadiq and Lola Ashiru.
Several of them are actively contesting governorship tickets under the platform of the ruling All Progressives Congress, while others have moved to opposition parties such as the African Democratic Congress.
In Ogun State, Senator Adeola, popularly known as “Yayi,” has emerged as a leading contender for the APC governorship ticket and is believed to enjoy the backing of Governor Dapo Abiodun. In Bauchi, both Senators Ningi and Shehu Buba Umar have separately joined the governorship race under different party platforms, intensifying the battle for succession in the state.
In Oyo State, Senators Sarafadeen Alli and Abdulfatah Buhari have also formally declared interest in the governorship contest, effectively ending their Senate ambitions. Buhari, notably, confirmed he would not seek a fourth term in the National Assembly.
Nasarawa West Senator, Aliyu Wadada Ahmed, recently defected from the SDP to the APC and is positioning himself as a successor to Governor Abdullahi Sule. In Kwara State, a major political realignment is underway as Senators Saliu Mustapha, Suleiman Umar Sadiq and Lola Ashiru are all reportedly eyeing the governorship seat.
The trend is not limited to the Senate. In the House of Representatives, key lawmakers including Kingsley Chinda, Fred Agbedi, Jonathan Gaza Gbewi, Abdussamad Dasuki and Benedict Etanabene are also stepping away from re-election contests.
Minority Leader of the House, Kingsley Chinda, is reportedly pursuing the APC governorship ticket in Rivers State, while Fred Agbedi is seeking to move from the House of Representatives to the Senate in Bayelsa State, where he may face former governor Seriake Dickson.
For some lawmakers, the decision not to return to the National Assembly appears driven by political calculations, while for others it reflects a deliberate attempt to create room for younger politicians.
One of the most notable examples is Abdussamad Dasuki of Sokoto State, who publicly announced that he would not seek re-election in 2027 despite still being considered politically active. Dasuki described the move as a personal sacrifice aimed at encouraging youth participation in governance.
The lawmaker, who chairs the Future Is Now Project, argued that Nigeria’s democracy can only deepen if younger Nigerians are given greater opportunities to participate directly in leadership.
In Sokoto State, former governor and ex-Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, has also withdrawn from the senatorial race under the ADC platform, while Senator Ibrahim Lamido reportedly stepped aside following internal party agreements.
Political observers say the mass movement away from the legislature highlights a recurring pattern in Nigerian politics, where legislative offices are often viewed as stepping stones to executive positions such as governor or president.
Analysts warn that the departure of experienced lawmakers could weaken the institutional strength of the National Assembly, particularly in areas requiring continuity and technical expertise.
Committees handling critical sectors such as finance, appropriations, petroleum and defence traditionally rely on ranking lawmakers with years of parliamentary experience to conduct effective oversight of government agencies and national spending.
Frequent turnover, experts argue, slows legislative efficiency because incoming lawmakers often require time to understand parliamentary procedures, committee operations and the complex political dynamics within the Assembly.
There are also concerns that several legislative proposals currently before the National Assembly may stall once their sponsors leave office, especially bills closely tied to individual lawmakers.
Beyond legislative work, senior lawmakers are often responsible for mentoring first-term legislators, guiding them through negotiations, lawmaking procedures and constituency politics. Their exit could create leadership and experience gaps within both chambers.
Observers further warn that an Assembly dominated by inexperienced lawmakers may struggle to assert its independence or effectively challenge the executive arm of government, potentially weakening Nigeria’s democratic checks and balances.
Still, supporters of the ongoing transition argue that the departure of long-serving lawmakers may also create opportunities for political renewal, fresh ideas and broader youth participation in governance ahead of the 2027 elections.
