Buhari wins Nigeria’s presidential poll

Muhammadu Buhari, has won Nigeria's presidential poll and hailed his victory as a vote for change and proof the nation has embraced democracy.

Buhari praised outgoing President Goodluck Jonathan as a "worthy opponent" who peacefully relinquished power. Buhari beat Jonathan by 15.4 million votes to 13.3 million.

Observers have generally praised the election, in spite of allegations of fraud.

Buhari, of the All Progressives Congress (APC) party, has become the first opposition candidate to win a presidential election in Nigeria.

“President Jonathan was a worthy opponent and I extend the hand of fellowship to him,” Buhari said.

"We have proven to the world that we are people who have embraced democracy. We have put the one-party state behind us."

Buhari is 72 years old and was a military ruler of the country between 1984 and 1985 when he was deposed in a coup. He was considered a strict disciplinarians with civil servants arriving late for work having to do frog jumps. He has also survived an apparent Boko Haram assassination attempt