The new president of Nigeria, Goodluck Jonathan, was sworn in as the nation’s leader after President Umaru Yar’Adua died on Wednesday from a long-fought illness.

Mr. Jonathan will serve for the remaining presidential term, and elections will be held next year.  In the midst of Nigeria’s seven days of mourning and burial ceremonies for the deceased leader, Mr. Jonathan is busy selecting a new deputy.  In recent history, the presidency in Nigeria has alternated between the Christian South and Muslim North regions of the country.  President Jonathan is from the South, and whomever he selects as deputy is seen as the likely presidential candidate for his dominant PDP party.

During his first address to the nation, President Jonathan vowed to eradicate corruption within the government “with great vigour”. “While this is a major burden on me, and indeed the entire nation, we must – in the midst of such great adversity – continue to gain our collective efforts towards upholding the values which our departed leader represented,” he said.  Then Mr. Jonathan added: “One of the true tests will be that all votes count, and are counted, in our upcoming presidential election.”

Despite his words, some political analysts believe that President Jonathan could actually strengthen his own base, defy tradition, and run for office himself next year.  It remains to be seen whether or not President Jonathan will keep his word, but eliminating corruption is crucial to the continued development of Nigeria, which has one of the fastest growing economies in the world.  What do you think?

Written by: Ashley Ellis