NIGERIA'S NEW PRESIDENT IS MUHAMMADU BUHARI

A former military dictator, Muhammadu Buhari, has clinched the tightly contested 2015 Presidential elections.

In a step never before seen in Nigeria, the incumbent, Goodluck Jonathan, called Buhari to concede defeat and congratulate the winner. This is also the first time an incumbent president has lost office in Nigerian history.

Jonathan came to power on the heels of the death of former President Yar'Adua, who died while in office, leaving his then-Vice President, Jonathan, to become president. Jonathan then won re-election in 2011.


Clearly, the citizens of Nigeria wanted 'change' and opted for something other than the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which has controlled Aso Rock for the last 16 years. Instead the All Progressives Congress (APC) was given the opportunity to run the country, via the Presidency, for at least the next four years.

What will this mean for the real problems Nigeria faces?


Buhari has committed himself to anti-corruption and ensuring the security of Nigerians. With the scourge of Boko Haram, any new leader would struggle to tackle that issue and all should hope that Buhari will be able dampen the group's horrible effects on citizens.

It is left to be seen what legal challenges this Presidential election shall face in the courts, if any. What with Jonathan's alleged concession, one can only hope that the challenges will not be so great so as to prove a significant distraction to the business of bettering the country.