History was made minutes ago when one-time military ruler, General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd.), was sworn-in as Nigeria’s new democratically elected President.

Buhari, who served as Nigeria’s Head of State from January 1984 to August 1985, was sworn-in at Eagle Square, Abuja, by the country’s Chief Justice, Justice Mahmoud Mohammed.

Buhari arrived the venue around 10am and Jonathan followed 15 minutes later. After the playing of the National Anthem, Jonathan sat beside Buhari, both men cracking jokes and smiling broadly, with joy radiating on their faces.

Buhari was sworn-in shortly after Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, took the oath of office. The duo, flying the flag of the All Progressives Congress (APC), defeated the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, then sitting President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, and his vice cum running mate, Architect Namadi Sambo, during the March 28 elections – the first time in Nigeria’s history that an opposition candidate had beaten a sitting President.

Yesterday, Jonathan and Buhari toured the Aso Rock Presidential Villa hand-in-hand. They smiled broadly, cracked jokes and laughed heartily as Jonathan showed Buhari round what will be his home and office for the next four years.

Jonathan, 57, thereafter submitted his formal handover notes to the 72-year-old Buhari.

A full house of happy faces witnessed the swearing-in ceremonies, including former Nigerian Heads of State, foreign Heads of State and Western dignitaries such as US Secretary of State John Kerry.