The party that controlled the government of South West States after the 1979 General Elections was

Analyzing the question: It asks which party controlled the state governments in the South West after the 1979 General Elections in Nigeria (Second Republic).

Concept: Parties of the Second Republic (1979)

• NPN (National Party of Nigeria): led by Shehu Shagari, won the presidency. Its strength was mainly in the North, with some states elsewhere.
• UPN (Unity Party of Nigeria): led by Chief Obafemi Awolowo, with its base in the Yoruba-speaking South West.
• NPP (Nigeria People's Party): led by Nnamdi Azikiwe, strong in the South East.
• GNPP (Great Nigeria People's Party): led by Waziri Ibrahim, strong in Borno and Gongola.
• PRP (People's Redemption Party): led by Aminu Kano, strong in Kano and Kaduna.
• NAP is not a major 1979 party. The party was not among the five that won seats in the 1979 elections.

Solution: In 1979, the UPN won the governorship elections in Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Oyo, and Bendel (the last in the Mid-West). These were the core Yoruba states, so the UPN controlled the South West. The NPN won the presidency and several other states, but it did not control the South West states.

Answer: D. UPN

Tip: Link each Second Republic party to its leader and region:

• UPN: Awolowo, South West
• NPP: Azikiwe, South East
• NPN: Shagari, North and nationwide
• PRP: Aminu Kano, Kano
• GNPP: Waziri Ibrahim, Borno