article_snippet.sent: This time it was by the ballot box.
article_snippet.sent: Here are five reasons why one of the most fiercely-contested elections in the country's history is so important.
article_snippet.sent: For the first time in Nigeria's history, the opposition defeated the ruling party in democratic elections.
article_snippet.sent: The elections were largely predicted to be violent and everyone, Nigerians included, expected the worst.
article_snippet.sent: Some families moved abroad and there was sporadic violence across the country in the lead up to the election.
article_snippet.sent: But fears about his strict military regime turned out to be mostly unfounded, and The elections held relatively peacefully -- with the exception of attacks in the north of the country, where around 11 people died.
article_snippet.sent: Many also praised President Jonathan's gracious and quick concession of defeat as it almost certainly prevented post-election violence.
article_snippet.sent: President-elect Buhari said Wednesday in a speech to the nation: "The eyes of the world were focused on us to see if us can vote in a peaceful way and carry out elections in an orderly manner.
article_snippet.sent: us have proven to the world that us are a people who have embraced democracy and a people who seek a government by, for and for the people.
highlights_snippet.sent: Muhammadu Buhari's win marks the first democratic transition of power from a ruling party to the opposition .
  