It also marks the first time that the opposition has democratically ascended to power. Mr. Buhari had previously ruled the country during a brief two-year stint in the 1980s when the country was under military rule. He proclaimed a conversion to democracy and has finally won the nation’s highest seat after having tried to do so numerous times in the past already.
Nigeria’s new President hails from the country’s predominantly Muslim north which has been wracked by the Boko Haram terrorist insurgency, and he has said that he understands their needs and what needs to be done to defeat terrorism, clamp down on corruption, and drive economic development, the three main platforms that he campaigned on.
Vladimir Sotnikov, Director, East-West Strategic studies Center, Moscow independent think-tank (studio guest):
“Buhari’s victory shows that the path of African democracy is an uphill battle.”
“President-elect Buhari will obviously capitalize on fighting Boko Haram militants.”
“I wouldn’t be surprised if he expands relations with Russia.”
“Previous developments in Nigeria in the last decade set the stage for the present-day reforms.”
Yamah Mohammed, a Lecturer with Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Nigeria
“His victory is a victory for Nigeria, Africa, and even the world.”
Dr. Roslyn Fuller, INSYTE Interdisciplinary Research Group, Waterford Institute of Technology in Ireland. Author of International Law: An Irish Perspective:
“To some extent, Buhari’s electoral victory can be explained by the fact that he is associated with dealing competently with some of the major problems in Nigeria.”
“He has been supported by ex-leader Obasanjo — who also governed Nigeria as a military ruler in the 1970's and then later as an elected ruler in the early 2000s.”
“A lot will depend on Buhari’s ability to handle an extremely high level of corruption.”
