Opposition win historic Nigerian election

White House officials say US President Barack Obama has encouraged Nigerian leaders to work together to unify the country and build on recent progress against Boko Haram.

The newly-elected President of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari, has vowed his government will "spare no effort" in the battle against Islamist militants Boko Haram.

In his first formal speech since his victory against opponent Goodluck Jonathan, Buhari said:

Nigerian election winner Muhammadu Buhari says his country proved it has "embraced democracy" after his historic victory.

Buhari, 72, became the first politician to unseat a sitting leader at the ballot box yesterday.

"We have proven to the world that we are people who have embraced democracy - we have put one-party state behind us," he said.

Mr Buhari also paid tribute to outgoing president Goodluck Jonathan for relinquishing power, telling journalists: "President Jonathan was a worthy opponent and I extend the hand of fellowship to him."

Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan has conceded defeat in the country's election, urging supporters to vent their frustrations peacefully following the loss.

Former military ruler Muhammadu Buhari, 72, became the first opposition candidate to oust a president in a democratic election, following a tightly-fought contest.

"Nobody's ambition is worth the blood of any Nigerian," he said as he congratulated his successor.

"The unity, stability and progress of our dear country is more important than anything else."

The new First Lady of Nigeria has hailed a "triumphant show of democracy" after her husband and opposition leader Muhammadu Buhari won the country's election.

All Progressives Congress leader Buhari, who said he had been "converted" to democracy after first seizing power three decades ago in a military coup, is the first Nigerian to oust a sitting president through the ballot box.

His wife, Aisha Buhari, took to Twitter to share her joy as the results rolled in, saying she was "so proud" of her husband and his team.

Voters in Nigeria have taken to the streets waving banners and flags in celebration after the opposition All Progressives Congress took power after the country's general election.

APC leader Muhammadu Buhari claimed victory over President Goodluck Jonathan's People's Democratic Party in the election - the first time in the country's history that a sitting government has been ousted in a purely democratic vote.

Celebrations spilled out into the streets as the election results poured in, with young men performing motorbike stunts and dancing as reports emerged claiming Jonathan had conceded defeat, allaying fears he might refuse to relinquish power.

Former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan has called opposition leader Muhammadu Buhari to congratulate him on his victory in the country's general election, according to a spokesman for the winning All Progressive's Congress party.

Nigeria's opposition All Progressive's Congress has declared an "historic" election victory for the African nation, becoming the first party to overthrow the sitting government through a democratic vote.

With 35 of 36 states now declared, the APC had 15.1 million votes against 11.7m for the People's Democratic Party, whose leader and former president, Goodluck Jonathan, is now set be replaced by APC's former military leader Muhammadu Buhari.

APC spokesman Lai Mohammed said there was "no reason" to suspect that Jonathan would refuse to concede, after announcing before the election that he would relinquish power if he was voted out in a "free and fair election".

The run-up to the election period has been plagued with violence from Islamist extremist group Boko Haram, which saw a surge in membership during Jonathan's five years in charge.

But bar some technical glitches and a Boko Haram attack which left more than a dozen voters dead, the election has been been the smoothest in most orderly in recent history.

Boko Haram extremists have killed 39 people, including a legislator, in north-eastern Nigeria, disrupting the country's presidential election, officials said.

All the attacks took place in the north east where the military announced it had cleared the Islamic extremists from all major centres.

Residents of the town of Miringa said Boko Haram militants torched people's homes and then shot them as they tried to escape. Twenty five people reportedly died.

Witnesses and officials said another 14 people, including Gombe state legislator Umaru Ali, died later today in attacks on the towns of Biri and Dukku.

Nigeria have extended the voting period for their current elections until Sunday after reported technical issues at polling stations across the country.

Information Commissioner Chris Yimoga told journalists: "In polling units where accreditation was suspended to the following day, in accordance with the existing guidelines, arrangements will be made for voters to vote tomorrow."