Nigeria’s transition from one Federal Government to another one to be formed by an opposition political party took off on a memorable note this afternoon when outgoing President Goodluck Jonathan and incoming President Muhammadu Buhari toured the Aso Rock Presidential Villa hand-in-hand.

Both men smiled broadly, cracked jokes and laughed heartily as Jonathan, of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), showed Buhari, of the All Progressives Congress (APC), round what will be his home and office for the next four years.

Vice-President Namadi Sambo and Vice-President-elect Yemi Osinbajo were equally in high spitis during the tour of the presidential villa, after which Jonathan, 57, submitted his formal handover notes to the 72-year-old Buhari who defeated him during the March 28 elections – the first time in Nigeria’s history that an opposition candidate had beaten a sitting President.

Jonathan minutes ago uploaded photos of the tour and handover on his official Facebook page, writing: “Today, I presented Hand Over notes to the President-elect, Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR. I urge once again that all Nigerians should pray for and cooperate with the incoming government. May God bless Nigeria. GEJ.”

Heads of state, including South Africa’s Jacob Zuma, and Western dignitaries such as US Secretary of State John Kerry, are to attend the inauguration of the new government, which starts at 9:00 am (0800 GMT) tomorrow in the Nigerian capital, Abuja.

•Photo shows Jonathan and Buhari, hand-in-hand, touring Aso Rock this afternoon.