As Nigeria prepares for the 2027 general elections, the careers of some of its longest-serving senators highlight the political journeys, electoral victories, and party-affiliation shifts that have shaped the National Assembly since the country’s return to democracy in 1999.

While some lawmakers have maintained long tenures in the Senate, others have had interruptions in their legislative careers before returning to the upper chamber.

Their experiences reflect different paths to longevity in Nigerian politics, including transitions from the House of Representatives, executive appointments, and successive election victories.

Here are five of Nigeria’s longest-serving senators:

1. Ahmad Lawan (19 years in the Senate)

Party: All Progressives Congress (APC)

Ahmad Lawan, who represents Yobe North Senatorial District, began his federal legislative career in 1999 after being elected to the House of Representatives to represent Bade/Jakusko Federal Constituency in Yobe State.

He served in the lower chamber until 2007, when he was elected to the Senate. Since then, he has continued to represent Yobe North and served as President of the Senate from 2019 to 2023.

Although Lawan’s legislative career spans both chambers of the National Assembly, he began his Senate tenure in 2007. His continued presence in the legislature since 1999 makes him one of the lawmakers whose careers have extended across much of the Fourth Republic.

2. Enyinnaya Abaribe (19 years in the Senate)

Party: Labour Party (LP)

Enyinnaya Abaribe has represented Abia South Senatorial District since 2007, when he was elected to the Senate on the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) platform.

Before entering the National Assembly, Abaribe served as Abia State Deputy Governor from 1999 to 2003 under former Governor Orji Uzor Kalu.

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

Abaribe’s political career has also seen party changes. He left the PDP for the All Progressives Grand Alliance in 2022, moved to the African Democratic Congress in March 2026, and subsequently joined the Labour Party in May 2026.

Unlike lawmakers who began their federal legislative careers in the House of Representatives, Abaribe entered the National Assembly via the Senate, where he has served since 2007.

3. Ali Ndume (15 years in the Senate)

Party: All Progressives Congress (APC)

Ali Ndume, who represents Borno South Senatorial District, entered the National Assembly in 2003 as a member of the House of Representatives for the Chibok/Damboa/Gwoza Federal Constituency in Borno State.

He served in the House until 2011, when he was elected to the Senate. Since then, he has secured successive mandates to represent Borno South and has held key leadership positions, including Senate Majority Leader and Senate Chief Whip.

Ndume’s legislative career spans both chambers of the National Assembly. His political journey also includes changes in party affiliation; he previously represented the All Nigeria Peoples Party and the Peoples Democratic Party before joining the APC.

4. Danjuma Goje (15 years in the Senate)

Party: All Progressives Congress (APC)

Danjuma Goje, who represents Gombe Central Senatorial District, was first elected to the Senate in 2011 and re-elected in 2015, 2019 and 2023.

Unlike some of his colleagues who transitioned from the House of Representatives, Goje began his federal legislative career in the Senate.

He initially contested the seat on the Peoples Democratic Party platform before defecting to the APC. He has since remained in the upper chamber, representing Gombe Central.

5. Adamu Aliero (approximately 12 years in the Senate)

Party: All Progressives Congress (APC)

Adamu Aliero, who represents Kebbi Central Senatorial District, first entered the Senate in 2007 after serving two terms as governor of Kebbi State between 1999 and 2007.

His initial tenure in the upper chamber ended in 2008, when he was appointed Minister of the Federal Capital Territory. He returned to the Senate in 2015 and was re-elected in 2019 and 2023.

Unlike senators who have served continuously since their first election, Aliero’s time in the chamber has been interrupted by his ministerial appointment. He served from 2007 to 2008 before returning in 2015, bringing his cumulative Senate tenure to approximately 12 years.

Aliero won his 2023 Senate election on the PDP platform but defected to the APC in May 2025. He later announced his defection during the Senate plenary. (The Nation)