Nigerians have chosen General Muhammadu Buhari, a former military ruler, over the incumbent, Goodluck Jonathan, to be their president. Following an election that saw 41 people killed in the north of the country, Jomnathan conceded defeat, and congratulated Buhari on his victory.
Buhari’s military regime from 1983 to 1985 was draconian: he systematically repressed freedom of expression through the jailing of journalists, radical public intellectuals and student protesters. He is now saying that “the global triumph of democracy has shown that another and a preferable path to change is possible”.
