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Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan
(2nd L) leads president-elect Mohammadu Buhari (2nd R) on a tour of the
presidential villa in Abuja on May 28, 2015
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| Nigeria fact file |
Muhammadu
Buhari becomes Nigeria's new head of state on Friday, in an unprecedented
ceremony after he won the first opposition victory over a sitting president in
the nation's history.
The 72-year-old takes charge of Africa's most populous
nation, which is facing crises on several fronts, from severe economic turmoil
to Boko Haram's still-raging Islamist insurgency.
The inauguration, before visiting heads of state and
dignitaries, comes 32 years after the former army general seized power in a
military coup. He was ousted after 20 months in office.
AFP report continues:
Buhari has described himself as a "converted
democrat" and vowed to lead an administration committed to the needs of
Nigeria's 173 million people by cracking down on the scourge of corruption.
But analysts said his first task may be managing the
expectations of a nation that has struggled for decades with woeful
infrastructure, crippling unemployment and widespread unrest.
- Democratic milestone -
Beyond the challenges facing the new government, the
historic importance of Friday's ceremony should not be overlooked, said Clement
Nwankwo, an activist who fought against military rule.
"The handover... represents a significant
milestone in the democratic development of Nigeria," Nwankwo, who now
heads the Policy and Legal Advocacy Center, told AFP.
Civilian rule was restored in 1999 but the Peoples
Democratic Party (PDP) has held power at the federal level for the last 16
years, at times appearing intent on staying on at any cost.
Buhari's win over outgoing president Goodluck Jonathan
in March 28 polls and the subsequent inauguration of a long-time opposition
leader were not expected, added Nwankwo.
"I would say I am pleasantly surprised. Given the
history of Nigeria's elections, it was always going to be a surprise to see an
incumbent lose."
Heads of state, including South Africa's Jacob Zuma,
and Western dignitaries such as US Secretary of State John Kerry will attend
Friday's inauguration, which starts at 9:00 am (0800 GMT).
- Corruption, economic crisis -
Nigeria is Africa's top oil producer and leading
economy, deriving more than 70 percent of government revenue from crude sales.
Plunging oil prices have caused a cash crunch that has
left thousands of civil servants unpaid and pushed the naira currency to
historic lows.
Buhari and his All Progressives Congress Party have
pledged sweeping change, particularly in job creation, electricity supply and
insecurity.
But with the public coffers in tatters, Buhari's
ability to deliver on campaign promises may be limited in the short term.
"Given that the incoming administration will be
substantially resource-constrained, we think Buhari's biggest challenge will be
managing expectations," research and investment firm Renaissance Capital
said.
Buhari won the support of voters largely through his
tough stance against corruption. His brief tenure in the 1980s is remembered as
a time when bribery and graft were forbidden.
He said his administration would have zero tolerance
for corruption but experts warn that maintaining his fragile coalition could
involve working with some politicians who have a mixed past.
"As the APC is a coalition, there is a risk
compromise may weaken the quality of appointments," including in the
cabinet, Renaissance Capital said.
Buhari is from Nigeria's mainly Muslim north and
enjoys massive support in the region but almost certainly would have lost
without the backing of partners from the predominately Christian south,
including ex-PDP heavyweights who have been linked to graft.
- Insurgency -
Victims of Boko Haram's brutal insurgency in the
northeast have voiced hope that Buhari will do more than Jonathan in tackling
the uprising.
Gains have been made since February in an offensive
backed by neighbouring Cameroon, Chad and Niger but violence persists and
sustained pressure is required to defeat the resilient Islamists.
Containing unrest in the southern, oil-producing Niger
Delta may prove to be just as tough a problem.
The delta is Jonathan's home region and some former
militants who fought for a fairer share of oil revenues in the 2000s had
threatened to resume violence if their native son was defeated.
A 2009 government amnesty programme that saw oil
rebels swap guns for regular cash stipends has significantly reduced unrest but
the scheme expires this year.
While
that money may be better spent on education and infrastructure, cancelling the
amnesty programme will have risks for the new president.
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