Abuja, Nigeria: Nigeria's electoral commission has declared former military dictator Muhammadu Buhari the winner of a bitter and divisive election that is ending on a high note with President Goodluck Jonathan gracefully conceding defeat.

Commission chairman Attahiru Jega announced early Wednesday that Buhari received 15,424,921 votes to Jonathan's 12,853,162. He said among 12 trailing candidates the only woman, Remy Sonaiya, received 13,076 votes.

Jega swore that "Muhammadu Buhari ... having satisfied the requirements of the law and scored the highest number of votes is hereby declared the winner and is returned elected."

Jonathan's concession in a statement paves the way for a peaceful transfer of power in Africa's richest and most populous nation.