Nigeria’s longest-serving senators and their political journeys

As Nigeria prepares for the 2027 general elections, the careers of its longest-serving senators highlight the political changes, electoral victories and interruptions that have shaped their time in the National Assembly.

While some began their federal legislative careers in the House of Representatives before moving to the Senate, others entered the upper chamber directly and have retained their seats through successive elections.

Here are six senators whose years in the Senate reflect different paths through Nigeria’s Fourth Republic.

1. Ahmad Lawan — 19 years in the Senate

The former President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, represents Yobe North Senatorial District on the platform of the All Progressives Congress.

Ahmad Lawan

He entered the National Assembly in 1999 after winning election to represent Bade/Jakusko Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, where he served until 2007.

Lawan moved to the Senate in 2007 and has represented Yobe North since then, including serving as President of the Senate from 2019 to 2023.

His legislative career spans 27 years across both chambers, making him one of the lawmakers whose federal parliamentary service dates to the beginning of the Fourth Republic.

2. Enyinnaya Abaribe — 19 years in the Senate

The senator representing Abia South, Enyinnaya Abaribe, has served in the Senate since 2007, when he was elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party.

Enyinnaya Abaribe

Before entering the National Assembly, he served as deputy governor of Abia State from 1999 to 2003 under Governor Orji Uzor Kalu.

Abaribe retained his Senate seat through successive elections and later served as Senate Minority Leader during the Ninth National Assembly.

His political affiliations have changed over the years, taking him from the PDP to the All Progressives Grand Alliance in 2022, the African Democratic Congress in March 2026 and, subsequently, the Labour Party in May 2026.

Unlike several long-serving lawmakers who transitioned from the House of Representatives, Abaribe began his federal legislative career in the Senate.

3. Ali Ndume — 15 years in the Senate

The senator representing Borno South, Ali Ndume, began his federal legislative career in 2003 as a member of the House of Representatives for Chibok/Damboa/Gwoza Federal Constituency.

Ali Ndume

He served in the lower chamber until 2011, when he was elected to the Senate, where he has since secured successive mandates to represent Borno South.

Ndume has held key positions in the upper chamber, including Senate Majority Leader and Senate Chief Whip.

His political journey has also involved changes in party affiliation, having previously belonged to the All Nigeria Peoples Party and the PDP before joining the APC.

4. Danjuma Goje — 15 years in the Senate

The senator representing Gombe Central, Danjuma Goje, entered the Senate in 2011 and has won re-election in 2015, 2019 and 2023.

Unlike Lawan, Ndume and Adeola, Goje’s federal legislative career began in the upper chamber rather than the House of Representatives.

He initially contested for the Senate under the PDP before defecting to the APC, under which he currently represents Gombe Central.

5. Adamu Aliero — about 12 years in the Senate

The senator representing Kebbi Central, Adamu Aliero, first entered the Senate in 2007 after serving two terms as governor of Kebbi State between 1999 and 2007.

His first stint in the upper chamber ended in 2008 when he was appointed Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.

Adamu Aliero

Aliero returned to the Senate in 2015 and secured re-election in 2019 and 2023, bringing his cumulative service to approximately 12 years.

He won his 2023 seat on the PDP platform but defected to the APC in May 2025, with the Senate subsequently announcing the change during plenary.

6. Solomon Olamilekan Adeola — 11 years in the Senate

The senator representing Ogun West, Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, popularly known as Yayi, began his federal legislative career in 2011 as a member of the House of Representatives for Alimosho Federal Constituency in Lagos State.

He was elected under the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria and remained in the lower chamber until 2015, when he won a Senate seat representing Lagos West.

Solomon Olamilekan Adeola

Adeola retained the Lagos West seat for two terms before winning election to represent Ogun West in 2023.

His legislative career therefore spans both chambers of the National Assembly and two senatorial districts, although his Senate service began in 2015.

The post Nigeria’s longest-serving senators and their political journeys appeared first on WITHIN NIGERIA.