Abuja – Muhammadu Buhari takes over a nation in crisis with an Islamic uprising that has made 1.5 million people homeless and coffers emptied by massive corruption.Similar crises confronted him when he ruled briefly as a military dictator in the 1980s. The 72-year-old says a similar prescription more judiciously imposed by a “born-again democrat” can heal the woes of Africa’s biggest nation, economy and oil producer.With Nigeria so broke it’s borrowing money to pay government workers, Buhari intends to retrieve ill-gotten gains to fund programs from education to job creation.
The first Nigerian to oust a sitting president at the polls has a wealth of international goodwill. At least 50 heads of state are expected at Friday’s inauguration along with US Secretary of State John Kerry, looking to mend broken ties.
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