From PRI, Public Radio International and KCRW Santa Monica, this is To the Point.

Peace, power, and politics in Nigeria. What promise and what problems lie ahead for the country's new president?

I'm Sarah Terry sitting in for Warren Alney, and this is To the Point from Public Radio International, a daily look at the issues Americans care about most.

Nigerians witnessed an historic first this week the peaceful transfer of power from one civilian president to another.

But can the country's new leader govern after elections that were denounced as fraudulent?

Will he be able to end rebel violence that has cut the country's oil exports?

Can he build on the anti-corruption successes of his predecessor?

What about the expectations of average Nigerians?

On reporter's notebook, it was 40 years ago today when Sergeant Pepper taught the band to play.

First, here's the news.

Support for To the Point comes from subscribers of KCRW Santa Monica

and from the Public Radio International Program Fund,

whose contributors include the Ford Foundation

and the John D. and Catherine

T. MacArthur Foundation. I'm Sarah Terry sitting in for Warren Only, back with To the Point

from PRI. In Nigeria this week, two civilians made history as one elected president handed over

power to another, a first in the nation's long history of coups and military rule. But this year's

election process was widely criticized as fraudulent, and the new leader, Umarro Ya'adua,

will most likely face legal challenges to his victory. What will be on his agenda as he tries to

govern the second wealthiest country in Africa, where half the population lives in poverty. On reporter's

notebook, it's been called one of the most influential albums of all times. Today, Sergeant Pepper's

Lonely Hearts Club band turns 40. First, this news update. Jack Kovorkian, the retired pathologist

...