Nigeria’s Leadership History: Setting the Record Straight on North and South Tenure

By Okoi Obono-Obla

Alhaji Atiku Abubakar’s claim that the South has governed Nigeria for 18 years while the North has governed for 10 years is historically inaccurate. A review of Nigeria’s leadership from independence in 1960 to the present shows that the North has held power for far longer than the South.

Nigeria’s Leadership Timeline: North vs South:

Early Independence Era:
– Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa (North, Bauchi State) – Prime Minister, 1960–1966.
– Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe (South, Anambra State) – Governor‑General (1960–1963), President (1963–1966).

Military Era:
– Maj. Gen. Johnson Aguiyi‑Ironsi (South, Abia State) – Head of State, Jan–Jul 1966.
– Gen. Yakubu Gowon (North, Plateau State) – Head of State, 1966–1975.
– Gen. Murtala Mohammed (North, Kano State) – Head of State, Jul 1975–Feb 1976.
– Gen. Olusegun Obasanjo (South, Ogun State) – Head of State, Feb 1976–Oct 1979.

Second Republic & Subsequent Coups:
– President Shehu Shagari (North, Sokoto State) – 1979–1983.
– Maj. Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (North, Katsina State) – 1983–1985.
– Gen. Ibrahim Babangida (North, Niger State) – 1985–1993.
– Chief Ernest Shonekan (South, Lagos State) – Interim Head of State, Aug–Nov 1993.
– Gen. Sani Abacha (North, Kano State) – 1993–1998.
– Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar (North, Niger State) – 1998–1999.

Fourth Republic (Democracy Restored):
– President Olusegun Obasanjo (South, Ogun State) – 1999–2007.
– President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua (North, Katsina State) – 2007–2010.
– President Goodluck Jonathan (South, Bayelsa State) – 2010–2015.
– President Muhammadu Buhari (North, Katsina State) – 2015–2023.
– President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (South, Lagos State) – 2023–present.

North vs South Totals (1960–2026):
– Northern Leaders: Balewa, Gowon, Murtala, Shagari, Buhari (military), Babangida, Abacha, Abdulsalami, Yar’Adua, Buhari (civilian) → approx. 38 years.
– Southern Leaders: Azikiwe, Ironsi, Obasanjo (military), Shonekan, Obasanjo (civilian), Jonathan, Tinubu → approx. 20 years.

Conclusion:
The historical record clearly shows that the North has governed Nigeria for significantly longer than the South. Alhaji Atiku Abubakar’s assertion of “18 years South vs 10 years North” does not align with documented timelines. Accurate historical data is vital for national discourse, especially in debates about equity and representation.