As of my last knowledge update in October 2023, here are the major ruling parties and their presidential candidates in Nigeria's democratic history since the transition to civilian rule in 1999:
1. **1999 Elections**:
- **Party**: People's Democratic Party (PDP)
- **Candidate**: Olusegun Obasanjo
2. **2003 Elections**:
- **Party**: People's Democratic Party (PDP)
- **Candidate**: Olusegun Obasanjo (re-elected)
3. **2007 Elections**:
- **Party**: People's Democratic Party (PDP)
- **Candidate**: Umaru Musa Yar'Adua
4. **2011 Elections**:
- **Party**: People's Democratic Party (PDP)
- **Candidate**: Goodluck Jonathan
5. **2015 Elections**:
- **Party**: All Progressives Congress (APC)
- **Candidate**: Muhammadu Buhari
6. **2019 Elections**:
- **Party**: All Progressives Congress (APC)
- **Candidate**: Muhammadu Buhari (re-elected)
7. **2023 Elections**:
- **Party**: All Progressives Congress (APC)
- **Candidate**: Bola Ahmed Tinubu
The above parties and candidates reflect the major political shifts in Nigeria's democracy. The PDP was the ruling party for a long time until the emergence of the APC in 2015. Following the 2023 elections, Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the APC is the current president of Nigeria.