UK welcomes Nigerian poll

Obasanjo denies fraud

The British Government has said that Nigeria's President Olusegun Obasanjo has a "clear mandate" after his election victory earlier this month.

However, Foreign Secretary Jack Straw said that the UK was "disturbed" by reports of serious fraud.

The main opposition candidate, Muhammadu Buhari, had urged the international community not to recognise Mr Obasanjo's victory.

International observers reported that they had witnessed serious irregularities during the election, such as ballot boxes being stuffed, particularly in the south and east of Nigeria.

Mr Obasanjo won with 62% of the vote to Mr Buhari's 32%.

Results cancelled?

"The elections on April 19 were the first civilian-conducted elections in Nigeria in 20 years. This represents a landmark in the advancement of Nigeria's democracy," Mr Straw said in a statement.

The ruling People's Democratic Party has said that it is willing to have the results in five states cancelled following complaints of irregularities.

Muhammadu Buhari refuses to accept his defeat

These are: Rivers, Kaduna, Enugu, Imo and Delta.

The PDP has urged the opposition to take any evidence of fraud to election tribunals.

Mr Buhari has left open the possibility that his All Nigeria People's Party may go to court in areas where they have strong evidence of irregularities.

The French news agency AFP reports that the election tribunals will start their work next week.

Nigerians will return to the polls on Saturday for the third time in a month.

After electing a new parliament, president and governors, now they will choose new houses of assembly in the 36 states.