Muhammadu Buhari faces Islamist rebellion after being sworn in as Nigerian President
General Buhari, dressed in traditional Muslim attire, stood on the stage clutching a Koran in his right hand, as he pledged to uphold the constitution and laws of Africa's most populous nation.
The inauguration marked the first time in the West African nation's history that a ruling party has handed over power peacefully to the opposition.
A vendor sells wrist watches with portraits of Nigerian President Mohammadu Buhari in Abuja. Photo: PIUS UTOMI EKPEI
General Buhari, 72, took the oath of office in
Eagle Square in Abuja, before dignitaries including South African
President Jacob Zuma. During his successful campaign to oust incumbent
Goodluck Jonathan in March elections, General Buhari pledged to end
endemic corruption and an Islamist militant rebellion in the north.
He takes office at a time when growth in Africa's
biggest economy is slowing, amid crippling power cuts and fuel
shortages, and Boko Haram pursues a six-year campaign to impose a strict
version of Islamic law, or sharia. His stewardship of Africa's biggest
oil producer, this time as elected president, may depend on the price of
crude, which supplies the government with more than two-thirds of its
income.
"The tasks are enormous against the
background of limited revenue and economic difficulties," Clement
Nwankwo, executive director at the Abuja-based Policy and Legal Advocacy
Centre, said on Friday. "His skills will be tasked to respond to these
expectations."
Goodluck Jonathan (left) presents a gift
to Muhammadu Buhari at the presidential villa in Abuja, Nigeria. Photo: AFOLABI SOTUNDE
Economic growth slowed to 4 percent in the first
quarter compared with 5.9 percent a quarter earlier, the national
statistics agency said this month.
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