Nigerians Have High Expectations for New President

VOANews

28 Many 2011

Nigerians Have High Expectations for New President

Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan is due to be inaugurated Sunday. He came to power in the political crisis that followed the prolonged illness and eventual death of former leader Umaru Musa Yar'adua. Ascending from the vice presidency, Jonathan vowed to continue the Yar'adua administration's focus on improving the economy and organizing free and fair elections.

Now on the eve of his own four-year mandate, Jonathan is facing high expectations from Nigerians who expect quick results.

“For the first time we have had an election that is close to what we expect, and he should not betray our cause,” said property manager Alhaji Dauda Ibrahim Tsoho.

He adds that the president's biggest challenge is overcoming decades of blackouts. “He has promised electricity. That is what every Nigerian is looking forward to. We don't care how he is going to achieve it. But he will have no excuse whatsoever after that four years to tell us that there is no electricity in Nigeria. That we shall not forgive him,” he said.

Scott Stearns