Nigeria to swear in new president

MUHAMMADU Buhari, who will be sworn in tomorrow as Nigeria’s new president, is a one-time coup leader who once ruled Africa’s most populous nation with an iron fist.

But he has undergone a remarkable transformation from military general to what he calls a “converted democrat” whom many see as the solution to Nigeria’s many problems.

His election victory over President Goodluck Jonathan two months ago was the first time power had changed hands to an opposition party via the ballot box in Nigeria’s turbulent political history.

Yet commentators say he will still need to delve into his army past to tackle rampant corruption, Boko Haram security concerns and economic troubles over the next four years.

“For him to succeed in tackling these knotty problems, he will need to behave like a dictator in spite of the constitution, ignore criticisms and keep at bay sycophants,” said one former army officer who took part in Nigeria’s first military coup in 1966.

“This is the time for him to bear his fangs against graft,” added social commentator Tokede Williams.

Buhari, 72, has vowed that corruption will have no part in his administration and that he intends to lead by example. Unusually for a Nigerian leader, he did not accumulate much in the way of spoils during his 20 months in charge of a military regime from December 1983.

Buhari’s military background and previous role as a northeastern governor have seen him viewed as best-placed to tackle the Boko Haram insurgency that has killed 15 000 since 2009. Last July, he narrowly escaped death after a suicide bombing on his car in the northern city of Kaduna. – AFP