Jonathan takes unbeatable lead, riots in north

Goodluck Jonathan had an unbeatable lead in Nigeria’s presidential election, according to results from the majority of states Monday. Riots broke out in the north of the country amid claims of electoral fraud.

Reuters/Akintunde Akinleye

With results from Saturday's vote in 31 out of 36 states announced, as well as those from the capital, Abuja, Jonathan had won more than 21 million votes and 22 states plus the capital, official results showed.

His main rival, former military ruler Muhammadu Buhari, had won about 10 million votes.

The Nigerian constitution says that a candidate must win at least a quarter of the ballots in 24 states to avoid a run-off.

Running battles between protesters and troops broke on Monday in Kano, the main city in the north, the majority-Muslim part of the country from which most of Buhari’s support comes.

A mob used wooden planks to beat two people whose clothing indicated they were probably Christians and protesters stopped cars and demanded that passengers declare support for Buhari, a correspondent of the AFP news agency said.

According to unconfirmed reports, several people have been killed in various parts of the north and a Baptist church has been burnt in Zaria, the hometown of Vice-President Namadi Sambo. The homes of ruling party members were attacked and gunshots were heard in Kaduna state, the state where Zaria is situated, while an explosion injured eight people in a hotel in Kaduna city.

Rioting has also taken place in parts of Sokoto, Bauchy and Gombe states.

Observers, including European Union observers’ chief Lojze Peterle, described the election as credible but extraordinary results for Jonathan in some parts of his native south have given rise to charges of vote-rigging.

Official results gave Jonathan 95 per cent in Akwa Ibom, 99 per cent in Anambra state and 99.63 per cent in Bayelsa - his home state.

Even in parts of the north where Buhari won, the results in some areas drew controversy with some saying Jonathan's totals were too high.