Wednesday, April 1, 2015

A Nigerian autocrat who embraced democracy: Story of Muhammadu Buhari

AFP, Lagos | Apr 01, 2015

Muhammadu Buhari, the one-time coup leader who won Nigeria's historic presidential election Tuesday, is not a man who is easily put off.
He tried three times previously to become head of state since the return to civilian rule in 1999 -- and failed on each occasion.
But the straight-backed former major general, who overthrew elected president Shehu Shagari -- widely seen as inept and corrupt -- in a military coup in 1983, was determined to lead the country again.
He was given the chance when President Goodluck Jonathan conceded his loss, paving the way for the first ever peaceful transfer of power between political parties in the history of Africa's most populous country.
"Our country has now joined the community of nations that have used the ballot box to peacefully change an incumbent president in a ree and fair election," he said on Wednesday.
"To me this is indeed historic."

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