There has been rioting in Nigeria following the victory of leader Goodluck Jonathan
in Presidential elections. The violence cut across 13 states, leaving hundreds wounded
and included the burning of churches.
Heavy gunfire also echoed through cities,
as shouting crowds burned tires and threw stones at security forces.
In a televised
address to the nation late yesterday, President Jonathan called on Nigerians to “quickly
move away from partisan battlegrounds and find a national common ground.”
Election
results showed Jonathan won 22.4 million votes, compared to the 12.2 million votes
of his nearest rival, but some rioters have spread accusations of rigging.
Director
of Communications for the Archdiocese of Abuja, Father Patrick Tor Alumuku spoke to
Lydia O’Kane about the unrest.
He said, “the truth is that there is no business
for this violence because there is a clear winner”.
He also added that Nigerians
do not want a situation like Ivory Coast. Listen here