New Leader for Nigeria
March 31, 2015
General Muhammadu Buhari in a photo taken in 2015.(Credit: Chatham House, the Royal Institute of International Affairs)
In an upset, General Muhammadu Buhari has been elected the next president of Nigeria. Buhari, a former military ruler in Nigeria, defeated incumbent Goodluck Jonathan by about 2 million votes out of around 28 million votes cast in the March 28 poll. Buhari ruled Nigeria with an iron fist from 1983 to 1985, after a military coup deposed the prior government.
Since post-colonial rule, Nigeria was ruled by military governments for much of its history until 1999. In that year, the People’s Democratic Party came to power and has ruled ever since. Mr. Jonathan became president in 2010.
The last few years were difficult for Goodluck Jonathan and Nigeria. The nation is dependent on oil for revenue (Nigeria is Africa’s largest oil producer), but in the last year both oil and Nigeria’s economy have fallen in value. Mr. Jonathan’s government has been associated with corruption scandals. And, since 2009, the Islamic militant group Boko Haram has killed some 20,000 people in its attempt to create an Islamic state in Nigeria. Jonathan’s government and troops have had a difficult time pushing back against the insurgents.
This election could become historic for Nigeria. It is the first time in the nation’s history that a sitting president has admitted defeat and agreed to step down after losing an election. And, experts believe that the election might begin the process of moving Nigeria toward a two-party system and away from one dominant party.
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