Clashes between police and opposition protesters in Lafia

There have been severe clashes between the police and opposition protesters in Nigeria's north central state of Nasarawa. Police fired tear gas and open gunshots to disperse the crowds causing chaos, and burning tires in the streets. The outbreak of violence follows the stoning of President Goodluck Jonathan's convoy in Lafia earlier this week while he was campaigning for April's election.

A police official in Abuja said that the gubernatorial candidate, Umaru Tanko Al-Makura, of the Congress for Progressive Change party, who was allegedly involved in the stoning incident, remains in custody awaiting decision about whether or not he will be charged. According to police reports, Al-Makura was embroiled in the jeers and pelting that marred the flag off of the People's Democratic Party (PDP) presidential election campaign.

Jonathan, the presidential candidate for the ruling PDP in April's elections, is on a campaign tour of several northern states. The PDP has a tradition of alternating presidential power between the north and the south every two terms, thus Jonathan's candidacy is controversial in the north as he is a southerner.

Sources: BBC News, AllAfrica, NEXT

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