At least seven people were killed in weekend clashes between supporters of rival candidates for the state house of assembly in the central Nigerian state of Benue, residents said today.
The ruling People's Democratic Party (PDP) primaries to pick candidates for state and national elections have been marred by violence in several states because many candidates believe that winning the party ticket is as good as winning the polls.
Fighting erupted in Aliade town, 40 kilometres south of the Benue state capital Makurdi, on Saturday after the PDP reversed the result of the state assembly primary held a week earlier in favour of another candidate, residents said.
Unhappy with the reversal of the primary result, supporters of the candidate who was first declared winner blocked major roads, attacked their opponents and set houses and a hotel on fire.
The fighting flared on Sunday as the rival group mobilised and fought back, residents said.
Nigerians are due to elect their president, state governors and state and national legislators next April in polls that should mark the first democratic transition from one administration to another.
Africa's most populous country returned to democracy in 1999 after three decades of almost continuous military dictatorship but violence, corruption and rigging remain at the heart of the political system.
Candidates commonly pay and arm thugs to intimidate opponents and gain office, civil-society groups say.