Nigerian President Umaru Yar’Adua wants to prove he has the legitimacy needed to drive economic reforms despite the rigging and violence that rendered April elections less than credible in the eyes of many Nigerians. The new president has attempted to broaden support by offering opposition parties a place in government with the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP), but the parties are themselves divided on whether to accept. Mr Yar’Adua has yet to appoint a cabinet since the government of former president Olusegun Obasanjo stepped down on May 29. Many Nigerians suspect Obasanjo is still trying to exert influence on the national stage, having hand-picked Yar’Adua as his successor.

Nigeria’s new president, Umaru Yar’Adua, spoke to William Wallis, FT Africa editor, and Matthew Green, West Africa correspondent, in the presidential offices in Abuja on July 6.