Nigeria's opposition warns of 'massive revolt'

Nigeria's opposition has warned that a "massive revolt" will take place unless newly re-elected President Olusegun Obasanjo resigns and lets authorities launch a new round of corruption-free voting.

International observers said the balloting was flawed by ballot-box stuffing and bribery in parts of the country.

Defeated challengers said it was rigged.

Obasanjo won a second term with 62% of the vote, compared with 32% for his leading rival, former junta leader Muhammadu Buhari.

Buhari described the vote as the "most fraudulent Nigeria has held since independence".

Obasanjo, said the vote was clean and many Nigerians would see it as a "significant step forward in the history of elections in this country".

Some 20 parties, including the main opposition led by Buhari, are demanding that Obasanjo step down by May 29, dissolve the country's election commission and quickly allow a new vote.

"If Gen Obasanjo fails to heed this humble advice being dished out to him, the consequence may be massive revolt," said Olagbade Ogboro, chairman of a small opposition party, the National Action Congress.

Obasanjo, a one-time military ruler who transformed himself into a civilian statesman, has ushered in limited improvements in individual and press freedoms.

But critics say he has done little to fight poverty and corruption - his main promises before his first election in 1999.

Since he took office, 10,000 people have died in religious, political and ethnic fighting.