Nigeria’s vote is for an end to corruption

The incoming president must tackle Boko Haram, but the priority has to be on improving Nigerians’ lives

Nigeria's new president, Muhammadu Buhari. AP Photo / Sunday Alamba

Former military ruler Muhammadu Buhari's decisive victory in Nigeria's election might lead one to suspect that voters chose him over incumbent president Goodluck Jonathan for the military expertise he will be able to bring to bear on the fight against Boko Haram extremists. They are terrorising the north of the country and General Buhari's vote share was highest – up to 94 per cent – in the north-western states worst affected by the extremist group.

But brutal and troubling though it may be, Boko Haram does not pose an existential risk to Nigeria as a whole. Instead, Nigeria’s status as Africa’s biggest economy is at risk from widespread and deeply-entrenched corruption. This has to be Gen Buhari’s primary objective. An all-out war on corruption is the only way to address the unequal opportunity that has held back the prospects of so many of those who live in Africa’s most populous country.

The end result of this approach will be judged by whether he can achieve a better life for all Nigerians, regardless of whether they are in the predominantly Christian south or the mainly Muslim north.

There is much to commend Nigeria about this election. An opposition party has achieved electoral victory for the first time in the nation’s history. A mostly peaceful vote was marred by delays and concerns over counting but biometric scanners made rigging harder than before. Mr Jonathan has conceded defeat gracefully and urged his supporters to accept the mandate for Gen Buhari, making him the first Nigerian president to be voted out of office. And for a country that for so long was a byword for military intervention in civil governance, Gen Buhari deserves praise for winning office through the ballot box rather than by sitting in the turret of a tank.

This election gives Gen Buhari the chance to reward Nigerian ­voters’ faith by attacking the core issue of corruption. While the cancer of Boko Haram must also be stamped out, his priority ought to be clear. Being able to lift oneself into a better lifestyle ought to reflect merit and effort rather than connections and corrupt practices.