Nigeria: New hope for old challenges?
President-elect Muhammadu Buhari hails new era of change and belief in a better future.
Former Nigerian military ruler Muhammadu Buhari has beaten incumbent Goodluck Jonathan in presidential elections in Africa’s most populous and economically powerful state.
It marks the first time a sitting president has been defeated at the ballot box, following six military coups and years of one party rule.
Buhari told his supporters: “You voted with your heart. Your vote affirms that you believe Nigeria’s future can be better than what it is today. You voted for change and now change has come.”
Jonathan called his challenger to concede defeat, and urged his supporters to accept the result.
He had been criticised for failing to get to grips with myriad issues ranging from the armed group Boko Haram, to corruption and the economy.
So can new hope overcome old challenges? And can the new president elect realise Nigeria’s call for change?
Presenter: Jane Dutton
Guests:
Tolu Ogunlesi – West Africa Editor of The Africa Report.
Ayisha Osori – CEO of the Nigerian Women’s Trust Fund, a domestic non-profit organisation focused on the role of women in government.
Imad Mesdoua – a political analyst at Africa Matters Limited.