Buhari pledges smooth transition in Nigeria

Abuja, April l, (dpa/GNA) - Nigerian president-elect Muhammadu Buhari promised Wednesday to cooperate with outgoing leader Goodluck Jonathan to ensure a smooth transition and called on citizens to avoid post-election violence.

Buhari, a 72-year-old former military ruler, defeated Jonathan in Saturday's presidential elections by a margin of 2.6 million votes, the electoral commission announced.

He described his victory - the first by an opposition candidate since Africa's most populous country returned to democracy in 1999 - as "historic."

"Our country has now joined the community of nations that have used the ballot box to peacefully change an incumbent president in a free and fair election," he said on Wednesday, according to African International Television.

"Change has come. A new day and a new Nigeria are upon us," Buhari said.

Buhari tried to calm fears of post-election violence, saying that "this is not the time for confrontation" and urging Nigerians to remain "law-abiding and peaceful."

Jonathan earlier said he had kept his promise to stage free and fair elections. "I have also expanded the space for Nigerians to participate in the democratic process. That is one legacy I will like to see endure," said the 57-year-old, who has ruled the West African country since 2010.

Buhari, who heads the opposition coalition All Progressives Congress, is a Muslim from the north. Jonathan, leader of the People's Democratic Party, is a Christian from the south. Nigerians often vote along religious and ethnic lines.

GNA