Rotational Presidency and Ethnic Sentiments in Nigeria: An Analysis of President Obasanjo and Yar'Adua's Regimes, 1999- 2010

Abstract

This article examines whether rotational Presidency has contributed towards reducing ethnic sentiments during the regimes of President Olusegun Obasanjo from 1999 to 2007 and President Umoru Musa Yar'Adua from 2007 to 2010. The article notes that ethnic sentiments were not reduced by rotational Presidency. The article also notes that the Nigerian state adopted rotational Presidency all in the bid to ease ethnic tensions, unfortunately, the situation remained the same. The regimes of President Obasanjo and Yar'Adua's between 1999 and 2010 did not help matters. There was an increase in ethnic sentiment during these regimes. The article contends that without putting an end to ethnic sentiments in Nigeria, the country has little chance of achieving good governance.