Power Rotation in Nigeria Since 1999: Who Has Produced What, by Philip Obin?

Since the return to democracy in 1999, only two geopolitical zones have never produced either a President or Vice President:

South East

North Central

Zones that have produced Presidents or Vice Presidents since 1999:

North West:

President: Umaru Musa Yar’Adua

President: Muhammadu Buhari

Vice President: Shehu Musa Yar’Adua (pre-1999 influence still relevant to zoning conversation)

South West:

President: Olusegun Obasanjo

Vice President: Yemi Osinbajo

South South:

President: Goodluck Jonathan (also served as Vice President before that)

North East:

Vice President: Atiku Abubakar (1999–2007)

(Note: Kashim Shettima is current Vice President as of 2025)

What about the Senate Presidency?

South East:

Held the position 5 times, totaling 8 years:

Evans Enwerem

Chuba Okadigbo

Pius Anyim

Adolphus Wabara

Ken Nnamani

North Central:

Held the position 2 times, totaling 12 years:

David Mark (2007–2015)

Bukola Saraki (2015–2019)

South South:

Held the position once so far:

Godswill Akpabio (2023–present) – currently serving

Summary Insight:

Despite their deep political participation, the South East and North Central remain the only two zones yet to produce a President or Vice President in Nigeria.

This fact plays a crucial role in ongoing debates around equity, inclusion, and zoning in national leadership.

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