Minister Calls for Southern Leadership to Continue for Next 6 Years
Nigeria’s Minister of Art, Culture, and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, has advocated for power to remain in the South for the next presidential term. She argues this arrangement would ensure equity and balance in the country’s leadership structure.
Musawa’s statement comes as President Bola Tinubu, from the South-West region, currently leads Nigeria after taking office from former President Muhammadu Buhari. Buhari, who served two terms, hails from the North-West region and completed his tenure in May 2023.
The minister’s position centers on maintaining regional balance in Nigeria’s political leadership. Her proposal suggests the South should retain the presidency for an additional 6-year period beyond Tinubu’s current term.
Nigeria operates an informal power-sharing arrangement between its northern and southern regions. This gentleman’s agreement typically sees the presidency alternate between the two major geographical zones every 8 years. The system aims to prevent any single region from dominating national politics.
Tinubu’s victory in the 2023 presidential election marked the return of power to the South after Buhari’s 8-year northern leadership from 2015 to 2023. Before Buhari, President Goodluck Jonathan from the South-South region held office from 2010 to 2015.
Musawa’s advocacy reflects ongoing debates about Nigeria’s zoning system and how long each region should maintain control of the presidency to achieve true national balance.
