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New Nigerian president sworn in New Nigerian president sworn in
(about 1 hour later)
Umaru Yar'Adua has been sworn in as Nigeria's new president at a colourful ceremony in the capital, Abuja.Umaru Yar'Adua has been sworn in as Nigeria's new president at a colourful ceremony in the capital, Abuja.
The inauguration of Mr Yar'Adua marks the first time in Nigeria's history that one civilian leader has taken over from another.The inauguration of Mr Yar'Adua marks the first time in Nigeria's history that one civilian leader has taken over from another.
Mr Yar'Adua's election in April has been described by local and foreign observers as "not credible".Mr Yar'Adua's election in April has been described by local and foreign observers as "not credible".
Opposition activists have promised to go ahead with demonstrations in Lagos despite a ban on protests.Opposition activists have promised to go ahead with demonstrations in Lagos despite a ban on protests.
"I, Umaru Musa Yar'Adua, do solemnly swear that I will be faithful and hold allegiance to the Federal Republic of Nigeria... That I will protect and defend the constitution," said Mr Yar'Adua, taking the oath from Chief Justice Idris Kutigi."I, Umaru Musa Yar'Adua, do solemnly swear that I will be faithful and hold allegiance to the Federal Republic of Nigeria... That I will protect and defend the constitution," said Mr Yar'Adua, taking the oath from Chief Justice Idris Kutigi.
HAVE YOUR SAY Let us give Mr Yar'Adua a chance to prove himself Luseni, Florida Send us your comments
A few minutes previously, Goodluck Jonathan, from the troubled oil-producing Niger Delta region, was sworn in as vice-president.A few minutes previously, Goodluck Jonathan, from the troubled oil-producing Niger Delta region, was sworn in as vice-president.
Nigeria's 36 state governors have also taken their oaths of office around the country.Nigeria's 36 state governors have also taken their oaths of office around the country.
'Many challenges''Many challenges'
The BBC's Mannir Dan Ali in Abuja said security for the ceremony was tight - he saw police whipping people without passes to stop them entering the area.The BBC's Mannir Dan Ali in Abuja said security for the ceremony was tight - he saw police whipping people without passes to stop them entering the area.
Police are also patrolling the streets of the largest city, Lagos, and have set up roadblocks to stop threatened protests.Police are also patrolling the streets of the largest city, Lagos, and have set up roadblocks to stop threatened protests.
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.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.
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.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.
Anglican bishop Peter Akinola gave an opening prayer before military bands and Nigerian soldiers in dress uniforms performed a slow march around the square.Anglican bishop Peter Akinola gave an opening prayer before military bands and Nigerian soldiers in dress uniforms performed a slow march around the square.
I pray that God can transform him from a man with a questionable mandate into the leader we all crave Armstrong AdejoTeacher, Benue State What next for Delta conflict? Yar'Adua's tough challengesI pray that God can transform him from a man with a questionable mandate into the leader we all crave Armstrong AdejoTeacher, Benue State What next for Delta conflict? Yar'Adua's tough challenges
The crowd, containing several African leaders and foreign diplomats, was also entertained by a troupe of synchronised dancers and police motorcycle stunt riders.The crowd, containing several African leaders and foreign diplomats, was also entertained by a troupe of synchronised dancers and police motorcycle stunt riders.
The BBC's Alex Last in Abuja says President 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 President 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 most populous country and largest oil producer.He adds that Mr Yar'Adua inherits many challenges in Africa's most populous country and largest oil producer.
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.
'Strengthened democracy''Strengthened democracy'
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."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.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.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.The roads of Lagos and Abuja were unusually quiet.
But correspondents say it was unclear whether this was due to the strike.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.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.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.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."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.