Voters in the historically troubled country of Nigeria have achieved, what some may say is the most significant achievement in their country’s history by participating in a successful election which unseated the incumbent president, Goodluck Jonathan, for the first time. The total vote count tally was 15.4 million votes for Mr. Buhari and 13.3 million for Mr. Jonathan.
“A new day and a new Nigeria are upon us. The victory is yours and the glory is that of our nation” new President elect Muhammadu Buhari said following his victory on Tuesday.
“Nobody’s ambition is worth the blood of any Nigerian” former President Goodluck Jonathan said in his speech following his official handing over to power to Mr. Buhari, which is seen as a major achievement in a country where military coup’s and unrest were normal to the citizens since the country’s founding on October 1st, 1960. Nigeria gained independence from colonial ruler Great Britain.
Many challenges face the new President elect as he is set to take power on May 29th, 2015 including a wide range of security related issues which include the still unresolved issue of the more then 200 kidnapped schoolgirls who were abducted from North east Nigeria, almost a year ago ( they were abducted on April 14th 2014).
Mr. Jonathan was able to gain the Presidency after former president Umanu Yar’ Adua was unable to continue his role as president due to illness and eventually died on May 5th, 2010 succeeding power to Mr. Jonathan.
“We should spare no effort in tackling the insurgency; we have a tough and urgent job to do” Mr. Buhari said in referring to the terrorist threat facing Nigeria and the continent of Africa. Besides the terrorist attack in Nigeria, Boko Haram conducting an attack at a Kenyan University where 147, mainly Christian students were massacred on
Thursday morning, highlighting the severe threat not only facing Nigeria, but a wide portion of Africa.
The Nigerian Government is set up similarly to the United States Federal Government where it has a bi-cameral which has a 109 seat senate and a 360 seat House of Representatives.
“Your vote affirms that you believe Nigeria’s future can be better than what it is today” Mr. Buhari continued in his victory speech.
He also promised to tackle the corruption problem which has been plaguing the country and holding it back from becoming a more stable democracy.
The last time Nigeria had a military coup was in 1983 when the civilian Government was overthrown.
Ultimately it will be up to both the new President elect and also the citizens of Nigeria to hold each other accountable as they transition from years of unstable military rule to a stable democracy which could be both positive for the country and a model for Africa which continues to struggle in its attempt to become a more stable continent.
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