Governorship race: Senators’ exit wave raises concerns over legislative stability, institutional memory

A wave of governorship ambitions sweeping through the Senate ahead of the 2027 general election has triggered fresh concerns over high turnover in the National Assembly and its implications for legislative continuity and institutional memory.

Findings show that even before the commencement of party primaries scheduled by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from April 23 to May 30, 2026, no fewer than 13 out of the 106 serving senators have opted to abandon their return bids to the Red Chamber in favour of governorship tickets in their respective states.

The development signals an early depletion of experienced lawmakers in the upper legislative chamber, raising questions about the long-term impact on lawmaking, oversight, and policy continuity.

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Among those seeking to transition from the legislature to the executive are Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola (Ogun West), who is rooting for the Ogun State governorship seat, and Senator Adetokunbo Abiru (Lagos East) is eyeing the top job in Lagos State.

Also in the race are all three senators from Kwara State; Saliu Mustapha (Kwara Central), Suleiman Umar Sadiq (Kwara North), and Lola Ashiru (Kwara South), who are all positioning for the state’s governorship race.

In Yobe, Ahmad Lawan (Yobe North), former Senate President has joined the governorship contest, adding to the list of high-profile lawmakers seeking executive roles at the state level.

Similarly, in Borno State, Senators Tahir Monguno and Kaka Shehu Lawan are both jostling for the governorship ticket, while in Oyo State, Senators Sarafadeen Alli and Abdulfatah Buhari are also in the race.

Senator Aliyu Wadada Ahmed (Nasarawa West) is seeking to lead Nasarawa State, just as Senator Buba Umar Shehu (Bauchi South) is nursing governorship ambitions in Bauchi State.

Aside from the 13 senators already opting out of a return to the Senate, Senator Jimoh Ibrahim (Ondo South) has also exited the chamber following his appointment as Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations by President Bola Tinubu.

His exit brings the number of senators who will not return in 2027 to at least 14, even before party primaries begin.

The trend underscores a recurring pattern in Nigeria’s political landscape, where the legislature often serves as a springboard for executive ambitions.

Over the past years, it’s the same experience; the growing exodus of lawmakers particularly experienced ones could weaken the institutional capacity of the Senate.

Legislative experts say the Senate relies heavily on institutional memory, the accumulated knowledge, experience, and procedural understanding developed over time by its members to function effectively.

With many senators leaving midstream or at the end of a single term, this reservoir of knowledge is steadily eroded.

The impact is particularly pronounced in committee work especially in the 10th Senate, where continuity and expertise are critical. Committees such as Appropriations, Finance, Petroleum, and Defence require deep institutional knowledge to effectively scrutinise government policies, budgets, and programmes.

Frequent turnover means new lawmakers must repeatedly learn the ropes, slowing down legislative processes and weakening oversight.

In addition, the exit of bill sponsors often stalls legislative proposals. Many bills, which typically take years to pass through the National Assembly, risk being abandoned when their sponsors leave to pursue other political offices.

The loss also extends to informal mentorship within the chamber. Senior lawmakers often guide newer members through legislative procedures and political dynamics.

Their departure creates gaps that are not easily filled, affecting cohesion and institutional effectiveness.

There are also broader implications for the balance of power between the legislature and the executive. A Senate with fewer experienced members may struggle to assert its independence, potentially weakening its oversight function and diminishing its role as a check on executive authority.

Despite these concerns, the attraction of governorship positions remains strong. The role offers executive power, control over state resources, and greater political visibility, making it a natural progression for many politicians.

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Political parties, prioritising electability, often favour sitting senators as governorship candidates due to their name recognition and established political structures. This, in turn, reinforces the perception of the Senate as a stepping stone rather than a long-term career platform.

Observers say unless deliberate efforts are made to strengthen institutional structures within the National Assembly, the cycle of high turnover may continue to undermine its effectiveness.

As Nigeria approaches another election cycle, the unfolding movement of senators toward governorship races highlights a critical tension within the country’s democratic system between political ambition and institutional stability.

With at least 14 senators already set to exit before the primaries, the coming months may further reshape the composition of the Senate, with lasting implications for governance and legislative performance.