Buhari returns to power in Nigeria
Nigerian president Goodluck Jonathan conceded defeat in the country’s election, paving the way for an unprecedented peaceful transfer of power.
Amid anger over an Islamic insurgency that has claimed thousands of lives, Nigerians threw out the incumbent and elected 72-year-old former military dictator Muhammadu Buhari.
It was a historic transfer of power following the most hotly contested election in the history of Africa’s most populous nation
“Nobody’s ambition is worth the blood of any Nigerian,” Mr Jonathan said in a televised address to the nation.
“I promised the country free and fair elections. I have kept my word.”
It will be the first time in Nigeria’s history that an opposition party has democratically taken control of the country from the ruling party – considered a sign of the West African nation’s maturing young democracy.
Mr Jonathan’s party has governed since decades of military dictatorship ended in 1999.
Celebrations erupted throughout Mr Buhari’s strongholds in northern Nigeria and around his campaign headquarters in Abuja.
Cars honked and people waved brooms in the air – a symbol of Mr Buhari’s campaign promise to sweep out Nigeria’s endemic corruption.
Mr Buhari was to address a news conference later today.
