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Nigeria's Jonathan Secures Unbeatable Poll Lead; Riots Erupt

   VOA News  April 18, 2011
   People holding wooden and metal sticks demonstrate in Nigeria's
   northern city of Kano where running battles broke out between
   protesters and soldiers on April 18, 2011 as President Goodluck
   Jonathan headed for an election win

Photo: AFP

   People holding wooden and metal sticks demonstrate in Nigeria's
   northern city of Kano where running battles broke out between
   protesters and soldiers on April 18, 2011 as President Goodluck
   Jonathan headed for an election win

   Riots erupted across northern Nigeria on Monday after President
   Goodluck Jonathan secured enough votes to win the presidential
   election.
   Opposition supporters claimed Saturday's vote had been rigged and
   torched homes, burned tires and hurled rocks at police to protest the
   results.
   Many in the Muslim-majority north backed the top challenger, Muhammadu
   Buhari, a Muslim and former military ruler. Jonathan, a Christian,
   dominated the mostly Christian south.
   Riots broke out in the northern state of Kaduna, where a 24-hour curfew
   has been imposed. Authorities reported unrest in the city of Kaduna and
   Zaria, where angry rioters clashed with police and set homes on fire.
   In the capital of Kano state, security forces fired shots into the air
   as stone-throwing youths took to the streets and chanted support for
   Buhari.
   Government and security officials met in the capital, Abuja on Monday
   to discuss the post-election riots.
   President Jonathan emerged as the unbeatable winner after all but five
   of the country's 36 states reported poll results.
   Election officials say Jonathan has met the requirements to avoid a
   run-off vote. A candidate needs a simple majority and at least a
   quarter of the vote in 24 states.
   Observers have said Saturday's vote proceeded calmly, with few
   instances of cheating.
   Security was tight at polling stations across the West African nation,
   which has a history of rigged voting and election violence. There were
   two explosions in the northeastern city of Maiduguri early Saturday.
   President Jonathan has promised to improve the country's economy,
   health and education. He assumed the presidency last year following the
   death of his predecessor, Umaru Yar'Adua.
   Buhari has said he will not contest the election results.

   Some information for this report was provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.

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