This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/africa/6697471.stm

The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Nigeria strike over 'flawed' poll Nigeria strike over 'flawed' poll
(10 minutes later)
Nigerian trade unions have started a general strike in protest at last month's elections, on the eve of the inauguration of the new president.Nigerian trade unions have started a general strike in protest at last month's elections, on the eve of the inauguration of the new president.
A BBC reporter in Lagos says offices and banks are shut, with just a few vehicles and people on the streets.A BBC reporter in Lagos says offices and banks are shut, with just a few vehicles and people on the streets.
A senior union official told the BBC the new government had been brought to power by fraudulent means.A senior union official told the BBC the new government had been brought to power by fraudulent means.
Umaru Yar'Adua is to be sworn in on Tuesday, as Olusegun Obasanjo steps down after eight years in charge.Umaru Yar'Adua is to be sworn in on Tuesday, as Olusegun Obasanjo steps down after eight years in charge.
The BBC's Fidelis Mbah in the commercial capital, Lagos, says the heavy traffic you would normally see on a Monday morning is absent.The BBC's Fidelis Mbah in the commercial capital, Lagos, says the heavy traffic you would normally see on a Monday morning is absent.
But he says some people may have stayed at home because of rumours that Monday and Tuesday had been declared public holidays because of Tuesday's inauguration ceremony.But he says some people may have stayed at home because of rumours that Monday and Tuesday had been declared public holidays because of Tuesday's inauguration ceremony.
The government has denied these reports. We want to tell the world, we want to tell Nigerians that the elections were massively rigged Nuhu ToroDeputy NLC leader class="" href="/1/hi/world/africa/6692725.stm">Can Yar'Adua tackle corruption? The government has denied these reports.
'Charade'
Previous opposition protests over the elections have not succeeded but our reporter says the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has the organisation to ensure that its call for workers to stay at home for two days is heeded.Previous opposition protests over the elections have not succeeded but our reporter says the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has the organisation to ensure that its call for workers to stay at home for two days is heeded.
"We want to tell the world, we want to tell Nigerians that the elections were massively rigged," deputy NLC leader Nuhu Toro told the BBC's Network Africa programme.
Local and international observers also condemned the poll as a "charade" and "not credible".Local and international observers also condemned the poll as a "charade" and "not credible".
Observers say that results were announced even in areas where no elections were held, either because of violence, or because voting materials were not delivered to polling stations.Observers say that results were announced even in areas where no elections were held, either because of violence, or because voting materials were not delivered to polling stations.
In most such areas, candidates from the ruling People's Democratic Party (PDP) were credited with massive victories.In most such areas, candidates from the ruling People's Democratic Party (PDP) were credited with massive victories.
The election commission, Inec, has denied charges that it favoured the PDP.The election commission, Inec, has denied charges that it favoured the PDP.
Mr Yar'Adua has promised to introduce electoral reforms.Mr Yar'Adua has promised to introduce electoral reforms.
The two main opposition candidates have challenged the results in court.The two main opposition candidates have challenged the results in court.