Nigeria has chance to rewrite script

London - The victory of opposition candidate Muhammadu Buhari in Nigeria's presidential election could mark a turning point towards genuine democracy for the country, improving the image and moral standing of Africa's troubled giant.

The defeat of President Goodluck Jonathan, whose People's Democratic Party (PDP) has run Africa's most populous nation since it returned to civilian rule in 1999, was the first time a Nigerian head of state lost power to an opposition challenger through the ballot box.

"It's not the result that we wanted but it's a good day for Nigeria if we show the world we can run a credible election," said a minister in Jonathan's government, who did not wish to be named because others in the PDP were angry about the result.