The results have come in for Nigeria’s presidential election and President Goodluck Jonathan has lost his re-election bid. This is the first time an incumbent President in Nigeria has been defeated for re-election. Jonathan was defeated by Muhammadu Buhari. Buhari was a former military ruler in the country after he removed his predecessor in a coup. Buhari was in charge of the country from 1983 to 1985.
Jonathan has conceded publicly and privately to Buhari. Jonathan has said that he had free and fair elections and that those elections were a victory for the Nigerian people.
Buhari’s military experience has been seen as a positive by some in the country. Although, not all see it that way. One of Nigeria’s most pressing problems is the militant group, Boko Haram. Boko Haram has made international headlines for their kidnapping of women and children. Jonathan has struggled to beat back the group and the violence caused by them led to the election getting pushed back. The election was originally supposed to held on February 14, but the election commission announced it would be pushed back six weeks in order to get a better handle on certain areas.
This was Buhari’s fourth time seeking the Presidency.