Can a former dictator and military strongman secure democracy in a nation racked with political corruption, economic strife, and deadly terrorist activity? Nigerians are counting on it.

On March 28th, they handed Muhammadu Buhari and his All Progressives Congress party a landslide victory over incumbent president Goodluck Jonathan in what can be described as a clear mandate for change. This seems ironic because Buhari has served in this role before — by force. He became president of Africa’s most populous country in 1983 by way of a military coup that deposed his predecessor. Yet like the country he will lead, Buhari claims today to have been transformed in recent years and pledges that “democracy and the rule of law will re-established in the land.” He begins work this week to make good on that pledge, after being sworn in Friday as president of one of Africa’s most troubled nations.