Power Transfer Tests Nigeria's Democracy

Nigeria is preparing for its first inter-party transition of power since the country's democratization in 1999. The success of the transfer will be a telling indicator of Nigeria's geopolitical stability. On May 29, two months after the elections, President Goodluck Jonathan of the People's Democratic Party will hand power to Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress. Had Jonathan remained in office, his continued hold on power would have threatened the stability of the country, and he probably would not have finished his full four-year term. Buhari is in a better position than his predecessor, but he must still balance major political, economic and security concerns if his tenure is to be considered successful.