The punch-up in the House of Representatives lasted about 10 minutes
Nigerian
politicians have exchanged punches after a splinter group from the
governing People's Democratic Party (PDP) tried to address parliament.
The lower house had just reconvened after a seven-week break - during which the new PDP faction was formed.
But a BBC reporter says MPs loyal to President Goodluck
Jonathan began shouting and jeering, which upset their rivals and
scuffles broke out.
The new faction does not want President Jonathan to seek re-election in 2015.
He has not yet said whether he will stand but some of his allies, including his wife, have started campaigning for him.
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.
The brawl lasted for about 10 minutes with legislators hitting each other.
TV footage reportedly shows a female legislator poking her finger in the face of a colleague.
Another politician was seen grabbing a chair in an attempt to hit a fellow lawmaker, the AFP news agency reports.
BBC
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