The most popular Nigerians at the moment, it can be argued, are the frontrunners for the country’s number one job – the presidency. Across the country, and on social media, the army of supporters for these candidates drown the activities of contestants for other positions that are national in scope, especially the Senate. The importance of parliamentarians in a democracy cannot be overemphasized given that they make the laws that dictate the rules of engagement in the democracy. 

It will not be surprising if one walks up to the average Nigerian and asks for his or her representatives at the Federal House of Assembly and State House of Assembly, and they fail to get the right answer. That is how badly Nigerians have become disinterested in those running for these offices.

In this issue, we bring Nigerians, especially Lagosians, close to those contesting for the various senatorial seats of the state. There are eleven (11) political parties that have fielded candidates for the various senatorial seats., and they are presented in the Table below: 

Note: A = Accord Party; ADC = African Democratic Congress; ADP = Action Democratic Party; APC = All Progressives Congress; BP = Boot Party; NNPP = New Nigeria Peoples Party; NRM = National Rescue Movement; PDP = Peoples Democratic Party; SDP = Social Democratic Party; YPP = Young Progressive Party; ZLP = Zenith Labor Party.  This list is culled from the website of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

It is noticed that out of the 28 senatorial candidates, only 5 are female, out of which 4 are in relatively less popular political parties. Furthermore, the average and median age of the contestants is about 51 years, with the youngest being 35 and the oldest, 66. 

For those who clamor for more  women representation in the Nigerian senate, the picture of the contestants from Lagos has become clearer – there are few of them. Hence, if the intention of the prospective voter is to make a statement about their preference for gender representation, they can cast a protest vote for the women who will be on the ballot.

For those that seek youth from Lagos in the Nigerian parliament, and given that  Nigeria defines Youth as those between the ages of 18-35, only one of all the contestants qualify. Hence, the frustration may linger. It is hoped that the little representation of women and young people in the senatorial race in Lagos will not serve to demotivate prospective voters in Lagos from casting their ballots.