Maishakiasi

Nigeria election: 

Goodluck Jonathan appeals for calm 

Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan has appealed for an end to "unnecessary and avoidable" post-election violence across the north of the country. Incumbent Mr Jonathan has been declared winner in the presidential poll, with the electoral commission saying he received about 57% of the vote. Rioting spread across the Muslim north - the opposition's powerbase - as the outcome became clear. International observers have said the election was reasonably free and fair. But supporters of Mr Jonathan's main rival, Muhammadu Buhari, allege ballot-rigging. The Red Cross says it believes many people have been killed in clashes with the police in northern areas of the country.