Nigeria: January 15, 2004

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In the central Nigerian state of Minna, seven people died as political party militias clashed over accusations of voter fraud. The Moslem area has recently seen organized opposition to the traditional political groups that have long ruled through a traditional emir. Throughout Nigeria, traditional leaders, often hereditary, have also been historically corrupt. Reform minded Nigerians are organizing local political parties to try and change this. But politics in Nigeria is also fought with fists and weapons, and the reformers are dealing with that as well.