|
Nigeria: Over 200 dead in the post-election riots
[Ennahar] More than 200 people were killed in the riots that followed the presidential election in Nigeria, announced Wednesday an NGO, when the biggest loser, Muhammadu Buhari, demanded an end to violence while denouncing serious election fraud in the Christian south."The corpse count exceeds 200 in the entire region, according to information received by the Civil Rights Congress," said Shehu Sani's chief, referring to riots in the main northern Nigeria. Over a thousand people were incarcerated in one city of Kaduna, where a curfew of 24 hours over 24 is in effect, added the head of the NGO. The authorities have already declared that violence had resulted in deaths between Mohammedan and Christian communities but without giving balance to avoid inflaming the cycle of retaliation. Many bodies have been burned or thrown into wells, making balance difficult. The Red Thingy reported "many dead", over 400 injured and around 40,000 displaced people have sought refuge with the police and army. Curfews and military patrols have brought some calm Wednesday. Main opposition candidate, General Buhari, a Mohammedan from the north, a region deprived, came second with 31% of votes behind the incumbent president,  Goodluck Jonathan... 14th President of Nigeria. He was Governor of Bayelsa State from 9 December 2005 to 28 May 2007, and was sworn in as Vice President on 29 May 2007. Jonathan is a member of the ruling People's Democratic Party (PDP). He is a lover of nifty hats, which makes him easily recognizable unless someone else in the room is wearing a neat chapeau... , a southern Christian, richer thanks to oil; the winner of Saturday's election with 57% of the vote, according to the Independent Electoral Commission. General Buhari, former military leader is challenging the victory of his rival, but said he would respect the legal channels and called for an end to violence. In the oil-rich Niger Delta, "and in the south-east there is not (really) elections and our fans were not allowed to vote," said on the radio's Voice the America, the general who led the 1984 and 1985 a military junta. Several Southern states have announced results from 95% to over 99% of the vote in favour of Mr. Jonathan. Buhari condemned, as before, the deadly riots that started Sunday night: "I urge people to calm down and respect the law as we address (to the Electoral Commission) to seek justice", "he said in a broadcast in Hausa. Posted by: Fred 2011-04-21 |
| http://www.rantburg.com/poparticle.php?ID=320876 |