Acting President Goodluck Jonathan was sworn in as President and Commander-in-Chief of the Nigerian armed forces Thursday, succeeding Umaru Yar’Adua who died Wednesday night at the age of 58, after a long illness.
Jonathan immediately said his priorities would be good governance, electoral reform and the fight against corruption.
The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Alloysius Katsina-Alu, administered the oath of office and the oath of allegiance on Jonathan, who will be 53 in November.
Jonathan later signed the oaths, after which he was decorated with the insignia of office, becoming the President at exactly 9.24am local time.
Speaking after his swearing in, President Jonathan said he received the news of the Yar’Adua’s death with “a deep sense of loss and profound sorrow”, and described him as “a man of deep personal integrity and uncommon humility”.
He urged all Nigerians to remain steadfast.
The short ceremony, held in the council chambers at the presidential villa in the capital city of Abuja, was witnessed by the leadership of the national assembly, led by deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu and House Speaker Dimeji Bankole.
Others in attendance included state governors, ministers, Chief of Defence Staff, Service Chiefs and top presidential aides