Opposition calls for fresh elections

LAGOS, Nigeria -- Nigeria's opposition demanded Wednesday that President Olusegun Obasanjo step down and annul last weekend's elections, which gave him a second term but were seen as deeply flawed.

Obasanjo's challengers said the vote was clearly fraudulent and threatened "massive revolt" unless he calls new elections. Obasanjo responded that the vote was fair and showed no sign of heeding the demands.

"I believe in the minds of many, many Nigerians, that this is a significant step forward in the history of elections in this country," he said. Obasanjo has insisted the vote was "peaceful, free and transparent."

International and local election observers have said voting was fraudulent in some states in the south and east of Nigeria, yet stressed it was too early to say whether results nationwide had been compromised. There were reports of ballot-box stuffing and instances when ballot boxes were stolen outright.

"It wasn't a disaster, but it's a long way from an election to be proud of," said Ross Herbert, research fellow at the South African Institute of International Affairs.

Obasanjo won a second term with 62 percent of Saturday's vote, compared to 32 percent for his leading rival, Muhammadu Buhari. Though several people were killed in election-related violence, the ballot was regarded as more peaceful than expected.

About 20 parties, including the main opposition group led by former junta leader Muhammadu Buhari, joined forces to demand that Obasanjo step down by May 29, dissolve the country's election commission and quickly allow a new vote.

"We avoid any form of violence, but since the government is violent and has unleashed violence on the nation, the consequences will fall on Obasanjo," said Olagbade Ogboro, chairman of the National Action Congress, reading a joint statement.

"If Gen. Obasanjo fails to heed this humble advice being dished out to him, the consequence may be massive revolt," Ogboro said.

At least 35 people died in voting-related attacks in a legislative vote April 12 through last weekend. Still, the election was generally more peaceful than many expected.

Oil-rich but desperately poor, Nigeria frequently ranks among the world's most corrupt countries, and it has been destabilized by numerous coups since independence from Britain in 1960. The West African country of 126 million people has never seen a civilian government successfully hand over power to another.

There was no sign Wednesday of public celebration or protest in Nigerian cities, many of which were being heavily patrolled by police and army troops.

Buhari, who gained notoriety for launching a coup in 1983 after elections widely regarded as flawed, described the latest vote as the "most fraudulent Nigeria has held since independence."

Buhari told The Associated Press that he didn't support a military takeover, "but if it happens it is entirely the responsibility of the government for the failure of conducting a free and fair election."

His running mate, Chuba Okadigbo, said the party would challenge Obasanjo's win, although Buhari said he did not trust the courts and the election commission to take the case seriously.

Obasanjo has consolidated his ruling party's grip on the three main levels of government. The party swept legislative elections April 12 and took 28 of 36 states in a vote for state governors the same day as the presidential vote.