Muhammadu Buhari sworn in as Nigeria's president Friday May 29,2015

 

Muhammadu Buhari has been sworn in as Nigeria's president on Friday May 29,2015, promising to bring "increased prosperity" to Africa's most populous country.

At the inauguration ceremony at Abuja's Eagle Square - Goodluck Jonathan handed over the constitution and national flags before Muhammadu Buhari took his oath of office.

Thirty one years after being ousted in a military coup, Muhammadu Buhari has been sworn-in by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Mahmud Mohammed, as the new civilian President of Nigeria

The inauguration of Buhari, a retired General, who won the March 28 presidential election on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, brought to an end the 16-year reign of the Peoples Democratic Party on the political landscape of the nation and the five-year Presidency of Goodluck Jonathan, who became President in May, 2010.

The new President took his oath of office and oath of allegiance, watched closely by Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, who was stepping out of office, about 12 minutes after Prof. Yemi Osinbajo took his oath as the new Vice President.
Osinbajo replaces Namadi Sambo, who became the Vice President to Jonathan in May, 2010.
Jonathan and Buhari subsequently performed the official handing over ceremony by receiving and releasing the National Flag and the Defence Flag, to give authority to the new President’s office as the President, Federal Republic of Nigeria and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces.

He is the first opposition figure to win a presidential election in Nigeria since independence in 1960.
"I belong to everybody and I belong to nobody", he told cheering crowds at the inauguration in the capital, Abuja.

Several foreign Presidents and representatives of governments graced the occasion, held under the scorching sun at the Eagle Square, Abuja, which was filled to capacity. Some guests had to watch the ceremony standing.
Secretary of State John Kerry led the US delegation while notable African Presidents include Jacob Zuma of South Africa; Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe; John Mahama of Ghana; Yayaha Djameh of Gambia among several others.


Muhammadu Buhari, a former military ruler, has taken over from Goodluck Jonathan, who had been in office since 2010