{{Nigerian politicians have exchanged punches after a splinter group from the governing People’s Democratic Party (PDP) tried to address parliament.}}<\/p>\n
The lower house had just reconvened after a seven-week break – during which the new PDP faction was formed.<\/p>\n
MPs loyal to President Goodluck Jonathan began shouting and jeering, which upset their rivals and scuffles broke out.<\/p>\n
The new faction does not want President Jonathan to seek re-election in 2015.<\/p>\n
He has not yet said whether he will stand but some of his allies, including his wife, have started campaigning for him.<\/p>\n
The BBC’s Ibrahim Isa says he saw one politician tear the shirt of another in chaotic scenes at Nigeria’s House of Representatives in the capital, Abuja.<\/p>\n
The brawl lasted for about 10 minutes with legislators hitting each other.<\/p>\n
TV footage reportedly shows a female legislator poking her finger in the face of a colleague.<\/p>\n
Another politician was seen grabbing a chair in an attempt to hit a fellow lawmaker.<\/p>\n
The PDP has won every national election since the end of military rule in 1999, so the party’s presidential candidate would be in a strong position to become Nigeria’s next leader.<\/p>\n
Mr Jonathan has been president since 2010, when his predecessor died in office and he was promoted from vice-president.<\/p>\n
He beat off a challenge to become PDP candidate in the 2011 elections, which he won despite opposition claims of rigging.<\/p>\n
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