In a nation that has seen violent transitions of power via coup d' etat and counter-coups and in a country widely ravaged by the savage workings of notorious muslim extremist Boko Haram, it's close to a miracle Nigeria was able to pull a peaceful presidential elections, a first in its history. Aware of the fact, President Obama was quick to send his congratulatory messages to the Nigerian people in general and to the defeated outgoing President Goodluck Jonathan and just-elected President Muhhamadu Buhari in particular.
However, the good neighbor act is under fire for being a tapestry. The US President and his administration is catching flak for meddling in a democracy far away. Muhhamadu Buhari is also under scrutiny brought upon by his not-so-glorious past as a coup instigator and dictator.
From One Democracy to Another
As posted on the White House official site, President Obama sends his congratulations to the leaders of Nigeria's most succesful political exercise saying:
"I commend President Goodluck Jonathan and President-Elect Muhammadu Buhari for their public commitments to non-violence throughout the campaign. President Jonathan has placed his country's interests first by conceding the election and congratulating President-Elect Buhari on his victory."
Further the President adds:
"I urge President-Elect Buhari and President Jonathan to repeat their calls to their supporters to continue to respect the election outcomes, focus on unifying the country, and together lead Nigeria through a peaceful transition."
Finally, America's first black president commends the millions of Nigerians who braved the weather and all other security threats to vote, saying:
"On behalf of the American people, I extend congratulations to the people of Nigeria and to President-Elect Buhari and look forward to continuing to work with the newly-elected government on our many shared priorities."
The political exercise itself is a tremendous feat as there are over 68,833,476 voters with 155,000 voting points manned by 700,000 polling officials, according to US News.
Certainly, it is a win not only for Nigeria as this is the first time it was able to transfer power peacefully by elections but also for Africa composed of fledgling democracies that are under constant pressure from power-hungry bureaucrats.
Democracy Under Fire
However, the exercise is also catching a lot of flak.
For one, President Obama is criticized as orchestrating a systematic campaign to back Muhammadu Buhari, as pointed out by Pamela Geller rather poignantly.
Also, President-elect Buhari viewed as a welcome change to the rather weak approach of outgoing President Jonathan, has received negative reviews due to his past role as a Nigerian military dictator in 1983 by way of coup d'etat.
However, Buhari has confirmed that he is a changed man and is taking responsibility for his past actions.
He shoud be as he is facing big challenges ahead. For one, Nigerian deaths attributed to Boko Haram has risen to 13,000 people.
With all the challenges Nigeria - considered the giant of Africa with its 173 million in population - poses and all the security threats threatening such a young democracy, perhaps President Obama is right in congratulating President Buhari as the best man for the job.
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