Luck runs out as Jonathan concedes to opposition’s victory

Nigerian president Goodluck Jonathan has conceded victory to challenger Muhammadu Buhari.

The move paves the way for a peaceful transfer of power in Africa’s richest and most populous nation. Celebrations erupted all over Buhari’s strongholds in northern Nigeria and around his campaign headquarters in Abuja.

Car horns honked and people waved brooms in the air — a symbol of Buhari’s campaign promise to sweep out Nigeria’s endemic corruption. Jonathan called Mr Buhari, 72, to congratulate him last night.

Jonathan was to make an address to the nation and Buhari was preparing to address a news conference.

This is the first time in Nigeria’s history an opposition party has democratically taken control of the country from the ruling party — a sign of the West African nation’s maturing young democracy. Mr Jonathan’s party has governed since decades of military dictatorship ended in 1999.

Mr Jonathan’s concession comes before the final declaration of election results by the Independent National Electoral Commission. Results of all but one of the 36 states and the Federal Captial Territory show Buhari, a former military dictator, dealing a crushing defeat to Jonathan.