The succession of power from one elected civilian president in Nigeria to another would represent a singular feat in the nation's history and an important consolidation of the African democratic ethos, including in Muslim countries. That leader would then face some considerable challenges. The West will surely look on-nervously.

J. Peter Pham is director of the Nelson Institute for International and Public Affairs at James Madison University. The opinions expressed in this commentary are those of the author alone and does not represent that of any government agency or other organization.