This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/africa/6699337.stm

The article has changed 14 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 4 Version 5
New Nigeria head to take office New Nigeria leader to take power
(about 1 hour later)
Umaru Yar'Adua is to be sworn in as Nigeria's new president, hours after outgoing leader Olusegun Obasanjo made his final address to the nation. Umaru Yar'Adua is to be sworn in as Nigeria's new president at a colourful ceremony in the capital, Abuja.
In a live broadcast on national television, Mr Obasanjo said Nigeria was a more stable and unified democracy following his eight-year rule. The inauguration of Mr Yar'Adua marks the first time in Nigeria's history that one civilian leader has taken over from another.
A two-day strike called by trade unions in protest at alleged electoral fraud received a muted response. Mr Yar'Adua's election in April has been described by local and foreign observers as "not credible".
Local and international observers had condemned the polls as "not credible". Opposition activists have promised to go ahead with demonstrations in Lagos despite a ban on protests.
'Changed image' The BBC's Mannir Dan Ali in Abuja says security for the ceremony is tight - he saw police whipping people without passes to stop them entering the area.
Guests have started arriving in Abuja's Eagle Square for what is expected to be a colourful ceremony. Police are also patrolling the streets of the largest city, Lagos, and have set up roadblocks.
The BBC's Mannir Dan Ali says security is tight - he saw police whipping people without passes from entering the area. Lanre Ehonwa of the Civil Liberties Organization told Associated Press news agency that a coalition of opposition groups would go ahead with rallies planned for Lagos despite not having a police permit.
What a country like Nigeria needs is a genuine, authentic but humane revolution Wole SoyinkeNobel laureate class="" href="/1/hi/world/africa/6698433.stm">Can Yar'Adua end Delta conflict? class="" href="/1/hi/world/africa/6699773.stm">Yar'Adua's tough challenges 'Many challenges'
In his farewell address, Mr Obasanjo pledged his support for Mr Yar'Adua and his government, and said he was leaving the country with a strengthened democracy. In Abuja, outgoing President Olusegun Obasanjo was driven into Eagle Square for the ceremony in an open jeep, waving to spectators in the reviewing stands.
"For the eight years that I have enjoyed your mandate and support, we changed... the image of our country in the eyes of fair-minded, honest and objective observers both at home and around the world," Mr Obasanjo said. Anglican bishop Petern Akinola gave an opening prayer and military bands and Nigerian soldiers in dress uniforms performed a slow march around the square.
"We have run the longest democratic dispensation and eliminated the risk of violent changes of government through coups and counter-coups in our political culture." I pray that God can transform him from a man with a questionable mandate into the leader we all crave Armstrong AdejoTeacher, Benue State class="" href="/1/hi/world/africa/6698433.stm">What next for Delta conflict? class="" href="/1/hi/world/africa/6699773.stm">Yar'Adua's tough challenges
Mr Yar'Adua's inauguration on Tuesday will mark the first time in Nigeria's history that one elected leader has handed power to another.
After many years of military rule, Mr Obasanjo was elected president in 1999 and served two four-year terms.
The BBC's Alex Last in Abuja says Mr Yar'Adua will have to prove his independence from Mr Obasanjo, who picked his successor and remains chairman of the ruling People's Democratic Party (PDP).The BBC's Alex Last in Abuja says Mr Yar'Adua will have to prove his independence from Mr Obasanjo, who picked his successor and remains chairman of the ruling People's Democratic Party (PDP).
He adds that Mr Yar'Adua inherits many challenges in Africa's largest oil producer.He adds that Mr Yar'Adua inherits many challenges in Africa's largest oil producer.
Surprise holiday
On the first day of the strike in protest against the elections, banks were closed and many school children stayed at home.
The roads of Lagos and Abuja were unusually quiet.
Most Nigerians still live in crushing povertyBut correspondents say it was unclear whether this was due to the strike. Some people may have stayed home because Monday and Tuesday had at the last minute been declared public holidays for the inauguration.
Reuters news agency reports that many Nigerians were apathetic about the protest on Monday.
"Tomorrow is the handover, so what difference will it make?" said Daniel Legunsen, who was at work selling photocopiers in Abuja.
Nigerian Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka has told the BBC the country needs a revolution to break the cycle of incompetent and inhuman leadership.
"I think what a country like Nigeria needs is a genuine, authentic but humane revolution," he said.
Mr Soyinka said Mr Yar'Adua was "an unknown quantity" who was taking power at a "perilous time".
The election commission, Inec, has denied charges that it favoured the PDP during last month's elections.The election commission, Inec, has denied charges that it favoured the PDP during last month's elections.
Mr Yar'Adua won a landslide victory in those polls, according to official results. He has promised to introduce electoral reforms.Mr Yar'Adua won a landslide victory in those polls, according to official results. He has promised to introduce electoral reforms.
The two main opposition candidates have challenged the results in court.The two main opposition candidates have challenged the results in court.
Armstrong Adejo, a university teacher in Makkurdi, Benue State in central Nigeria told the BBC: "I pray that God can transform him from a man with a questionable mandate into the leader we all crave."
Most Nigerians still live in crushing povertyA two-day strike called by trade unions in protest at alleged electoral fraud has so far received a muted response.
On the first day of the strike in protest against the elections, banks were closed and many school children stayed at home.
The roads of Lagos and Abuja were unusually quiet.
But correspondents say it was unclear whether this was due to the strike.
Some people may have stayed home because Monday and Tuesday had at the last minute been declared public holidays for the inauguration.
After many years of military rule, Mr Obasanjo was elected president in 1999 and served two four-year terms.
In his farewell address on Monday evening, Mr Obasanjo pledged his support for Mr Yar'Adua and his government, and said he was leaving the country with a strengthened democracy.
"We have run the longest democratic dispensation and eliminated the risk of violent changes of government through coups and counter-coups in our political culture," Mr Obasanjo said.