In Nigeria, Presidents and governors naturally seek the maximum two terms allowed as provided by the Nigerian Constitution.
When their bid to return to office immediately after their first term fails, they continue to try until they return for a second term.
Some of those who kept making attempts for a second term bid until they got it are Rabiu Kwankwaso of Kano, as well as Ayo Fayose and Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti. A few others failed anyways.
This is however, not the case with lawmakers at the National Assembly where House of Representative members and Senators have no fixed term in office.
Some of these lawmakers have been at the National Assembly since 1999 or 2003 and they have refused to vacate the seat for youngsters in their constituency.
1 Ahmed Ibrahim Lawan
Ahmed Ibrahim Lawan is a Nigerian senator who serves as the President of the Senate of Nigeria. He represents Yobe North Constituency of Yobe State under the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Elected to the House of Representatives for the northern state of Yobe in 1999, at different times Lawan chaired the House Committees on education and agriculture.
Lawan was elected to the Senate in 2007. He ran for reelection in Yobe North Senatorial District on the ANPP platform in the 9 April 2011 elections. He won. He contested in 2015, and again in 2019.
2 Femi Gbajabiamila
Olufemi Hakeem Gbajabiamila, is a Nigerian lawyer, All Progressives Congress Leader, and Speaker of Nigeria’s 9th House of Representatives.
Gbajabiamila was elected to the House in 2003, and re-elected in 2007. He represents the Surulere I constituency of Lagos State.
He had in the past served as minority leader and majority leader of the house before emerging as speaker in 2019.
3 Ike Ekweremadu
Ike Ekweremadu is a Nigerian politician and lawyer from Enugu State who has served in the Senate of Nigeria since May 2003.
He is a member of the People’s Democratic Party and was the Deputy President of the Nigerian Senate for three consecutive (6th, 7th and 8th).
4 Philips Tanimu Aduda
Philips Tanimu Aduda is a Nigerian politician. He served two terms in the Nigerian House of Representatives between 2003 and 2011.
He was elected to the Senate for the Abuja Federal Capital Territory in the 9 April 2011 elections, running on the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) ticket. He still remains in the Senate
5 Ali Ndume
Mohammed Ali Ndume is a Nigerian politician who was a member of the Federal House of Representatives from 2003 to 2011.
He was elected to the Senate for Borno South, Borno State, Nigeria in April 2011 running on the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) ticket.
He is currently a member of All Progressive Congress (APC) and leader of the Senate.
6 Umar Barde Yakubu
Umar Barde Yakubu is a Nigerian politician. He is the minority whip of the Nigerian House of Representatives.
He was elected Representative in 2003 representing Chikun and Kajuru federal constituency of Kaduna State under the People’s Democratic Party of Nigeria and he’s still in the national assembly.
7 James Manager
James Manager is a Nigerian senator of the People’s Democratic Party representing Delta South Senatorial District of Delta State in the Nigerian Senate. He became a Senator in 2003.
He has since remained in the Senate.
8 Ogor Leonard
Ogor Leonard Okuweh is a Nigerian politician. He is the Minority Leader of the Nigerian House of Representatives representing Isoko North/Isoko South federal constituency of Delta State under the People’s Democratic Party in Nigeria.
He has been representing Isoko North/Isoko South federal constituency of Delta State at National Assembly since 2003.
9 Nicholas Mutu
Nicholas Mutu is the longest-serving federal lawmaker in the House of Representatives and has been representing his people in that capacity since 1999.
He represents Bomadi/Patani Federal Constituency of Delta State.
10 Enyinnaya Abaribe
Enyinnaya Abaribe (born March 1, 1955) is a Nigerian politician who was elected as the senator representing Abia-South Senatorial District of Abia State in April 2007.
Abaribe is a member of the major opposition People’s Democratic Party, PDP and is currently the Minority leader in the senate.
