British Official Urges Peaceful Transition in Nigeria

Nigerian former General Muhammadu Buhari, right, along with his deputy, Yemi Osibnajo, sings the national anthem after speaking to journalists in Abuja, Nigeria, April 1, 2015.

Reuters

April 01, 2015 7:23 AM

LONDON—Nigerian election winner Muhammadu Buhari and Goodluck Jonathan, the outgoing president, must ensure the transition to a new government remains peaceful, British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond said on Wednesday.

Three decades after seizing power in a military coup, Buhari has become the first Nigerian to oust a president through the ballot box, putting him in charge of Africa's biggest economy and one of its most turbulent democracies.

Jonathan called Buhari on Tuesday to concede defeat and issued a statement urging his supporters to accept the result.

“I congratulate Muhammadu Buhari on his election victory ... and also President Goodluck Jonathan for the statesmanship he has shown in delivering free and fair elections and accepting the result,” Hammond said in a statement.

“It is now important for both parties to ensure the transition to a new government remains peaceful.”