Goodluck Jonathan sworn in as Nigeria's President

Abuja, May 30: Goodluck Jonathan was on May 30 sworn in for a full four year term as Nigerian President after winning an election regarded as the fairest amongst the four held since the oil-rich country returned to democracy in 1999.

This is the second time he has has been sworn into office in just over a year. Jonathan first took office on May 6, 2010 after the death of President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua to whom he was deputy.

The 54 year-old president who was sworn in by the chief justice of Nigeria Aloysius Katsina-Alu with his deputy, Namadi Sambo, vowed to uphold the constitution of the country in discharging his duties.

"I Goodluck Ebele Jonathan promise to be faithful and bear true allegiance and as president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria I will discharge my duties to the best of my abilities, faithfully and in accordance with the constitution," he said at a ceremony, held at the Eagle Square in the capital Abuja, which was attended by a number of foreign heads of states and dignitaries including Minister of Water Resources and Minority Affairs Salman Khurshid.

Jonathan won 59 per cent of votes cast in the April 16 presidential election.

He is the first president from the oil rich Niger Delta region known for frequent militancy by groups claiming to be fight for resource control but which often engage in kidnapping for ransom and oil theft.

PTI