The election was the most competitive presidential ever in Nigeria, one of the largest democracies in the world. Now, if power is handed over peacefully, it will be a major shift for the nation. It will be   the first transfer between civilians of different parties in a country that has spent much of its postcolonial history shaken by military coups.

With results from all of Nigeria’s 36 states counted, the former military ruler, Muhammadu Buhari, delivered a crushing defeat to President Goodluck Johnatan , getting nearly 55 percent of the vote to Mr. Jonathan’s 45 percent.

Since the end of the military rule in 1999, Nigeria has been governed by a single, dominant party, Mr. Jonathan’s People Democratic Party