Nigeria's ruling party chairman resigns after poll

Officials say the chairman of Nigeria's ruling political party has resigned after he "embarrassed" them appearing at a recent presidential primary in spite of a court order.

A statement from the People's Democratic Party said Okwesilieze Nwodo had resigned Tuesday. The party said Nwodo submitted a letter of resignation; there was no immediate comment from him on the matter.

Nwodo had appeared at the party's convention last week despite receiving a court injunction barring him from presiding over it. Party trustee Jerry Gana told journalists that Nwodo's appearance "embarrassed party members."

Nwodo had taken over the party in August and supported President Goodluck Jonathan's bid to be the party's candidate for the April election.