Nigeria's opposition says the decision to postpone the 14 February presidential elections by six weeks is a "major setback for democracy".
The election commission said it moved the poll date because troops needed to protect polling stations were being deployed to fight Boko Haram.
What a joke. A bad joke. A week before the national election, the military suddenly deploys all their troops to fight Boko Haram. Why did they not do that 8 months ago? Why wait until the eve of an election? My guess is that Jonathon suddenly realized that he wasn't quite as beloved by the people as he thought he was. I think the man is worse than useless; I think he is malevolent!
The postponement was welcomed by the ruling party, but the US said it was "disappointed".
Nigeria has been battling an insurgency by Boko Haram in the north-east.
Thousands of people have died as a result of the militant group's insurgency over the past six years.
Boko Haram has also started attacking Nigeria's neighbours: on Sunday, for the second time in three days, the militants attacked the Niger border town of Diffa.
At least one person was killed in a blast in the town's market, with some witnesses saying a suicide bomber was responsible.
'Unfortunate development'
APC Chairman John Odigie-Oyegun said the move to delay the elections until 28 March, announced late on Saturday, was "highly provocative" and "a major setback for Nigerian democracy".
However, he urged Nigerians to "remain calm and desist from violence and any activity which will compound this unfortunate development".
Former military ruler Muhammadu Buhari from the All Progressives Congress (APC) is challenging incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan, who heads the People's Democratic Party (PDP), in the upcoming elections.
Correspondents say it looks set to be a tight race between the two.
Opposition officials accuse the military of forcing the electoral commission into the delay to help the sitting president's campaign.
However, Attahiru Jega, head of the election commission, said the postponement was necessary as he had been told that troops would not be available to protect voters as they were too busy conducting operations against Boko Haram.
"The commission cannot lightly wave off the advice of the nation's security chiefs," he said.
Analysis: Will Ross, BBC Nigeria correspondent, Lagos
The delay is highly contentious and will be seen by many Nigerians as foul play. What is not clear at this stage is whether it will favour President Goodluck Jonathan or his rival, Muhammadu Buhari.
Attahiru Jega made a point of saying this was a decision taken by the electoral commission but clearly the "referee" was under intense pressure.
The Boko Haram conflict has raged for five years but just days before the vote, Professor Jega was suddenly told the entire military would be focused solely on the north-east - in other words, "you are getting no help from the military, you are on your own". With the threat of violence so real, he was put in a tight corner.
It seems highly unlikely that the conflict will be brought to an end within the next few weeks, so will the election be held at all? That may depend on whether some powerful personalities feel President Jonathan is well placed for a victory.
The country's national security adviser had called for a postponement last month, saying that more time was needed to distribute biometric voter cards.
The ruling PDP party praised the postponement, and said the commission was facing "numerous logistical problems and numerous internal challenges", the AP news agency reported.
However, US Secretary of State John Kerry said the US was "deeply disappointed" by the latest development.
"Political interference with the Independent National Electoral Commission is unacceptable, and it is critical that the government not use security concerns as a pretext for impeding the democratic process," he said.
Parliamentary elections due to take place on 14 February have also been postponed to 28 March, and elections for state governors and assemblies slated for 28 February have been moved to 11 April.
The Boko Haram insurgency has led to more than a million people fleeing their homes.
Election promises, for what their worth. Jonathon lies relentlessly at the best of times; is he suddenly going to start telling the truth during an election? I don't think so. Would Buhari be any better? Who knows, but I wouldn't bet the farm on it.
Security
GJ - Promises to do "everything humanly possible" to combat Boko Haram. Seeks greater regional and international co-operation to tackle the insurgency, terrorism, piracy and organised crime.
MB - Says the government has been ineffective and lacks the willpower to fight Boko Haram. Pledges to end the insurgency within months if elected.
Economy
GJ - Says he will continue with his economic blueprint known as the "2011-2015 Transformation agenda". Sees economic diversification as a key step towards addressing impact of fall in global oil prices.
MB - Says government's economic policies have worsened the lives of Nigerians. Promises to pick "competent hands" to run the economy. Pledges to close the wealth gap through shared economic growth.
Corruption
GJ - "We are fighting corruption. It is not by publicly jailing people. Yes, we believe in suppressing corruption, but our emphasis is in prevention."
MB - Says one of his key priorities is to wipe out corruption. "If Nigeria doesn't kill corruption, corruption will kill Nigeria".
Employment
GJ - Promises to create 2 million jobs each year. Launched YouWIN scheme for young entrepreneurs and Sure-P initiative aimed at helping graduates find jobs.
MB - Promises to create 20,000 jobs per state, totalling 720,000. Pledges support for the agricultural sector and soft loans for small manufacturers to boost job creation.
The election commission said it moved the poll date because troops needed to protect polling stations were being deployed to fight Boko Haram.
What a joke. A bad joke. A week before the national election, the military suddenly deploys all their troops to fight Boko Haram. Why did they not do that 8 months ago? Why wait until the eve of an election? My guess is that Jonathon suddenly realized that he wasn't quite as beloved by the people as he thought he was. I think the man is worse than useless; I think he is malevolent!
 |
| People hold signs to protest against the postponement of elections, in Abuja, Nigeria, 7 February 2015 |
Nigeria has been battling an insurgency by Boko Haram in the north-east.
Thousands of people have died as a result of the militant group's insurgency over the past six years.
Boko Haram has also started attacking Nigeria's neighbours: on Sunday, for the second time in three days, the militants attacked the Niger border town of Diffa.
At least one person was killed in a blast in the town's market, with some witnesses saying a suicide bomber was responsible.
'Unfortunate development'
APC Chairman John Odigie-Oyegun said the move to delay the elections until 28 March, announced late on Saturday, was "highly provocative" and "a major setback for Nigerian democracy".
 |
| Attahiru Jega, head of the election commission, speaking in Abuja on 7 February 2015. Jega said he had not been coerced into postponing the vote. |
Former military ruler Muhammadu Buhari from the All Progressives Congress (APC) is challenging incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan, who heads the People's Democratic Party (PDP), in the upcoming elections.
Correspondents say it looks set to be a tight race between the two.
Opposition officials accuse the military of forcing the electoral commission into the delay to help the sitting president's campaign.
However, Attahiru Jega, head of the election commission, said the postponement was necessary as he had been told that troops would not be available to protect voters as they were too busy conducting operations against Boko Haram.
"The commission cannot lightly wave off the advice of the nation's security chiefs," he said.
Analysis: Will Ross, BBC Nigeria correspondent, Lagos
The delay is highly contentious and will be seen by many Nigerians as foul play. What is not clear at this stage is whether it will favour President Goodluck Jonathan or his rival, Muhammadu Buhari.
Attahiru Jega made a point of saying this was a decision taken by the electoral commission but clearly the "referee" was under intense pressure.
The Boko Haram conflict has raged for five years but just days before the vote, Professor Jega was suddenly told the entire military would be focused solely on the north-east - in other words, "you are getting no help from the military, you are on your own". With the threat of violence so real, he was put in a tight corner.
It seems highly unlikely that the conflict will be brought to an end within the next few weeks, so will the election be held at all? That may depend on whether some powerful personalities feel President Jonathan is well placed for a victory.
 |
| A young Nigerian refugee who fled an attack by Boko Haram militants in the town of Baga at a camp in Baga Sola, 26 January 2015 More than a million people have been displaced by the Boko Haram insurgency |
The ruling PDP party praised the postponement, and said the commission was facing "numerous logistical problems and numerous internal challenges", the AP news agency reported.
However, US Secretary of State John Kerry said the US was "deeply disappointed" by the latest development.
"Political interference with the Independent National Electoral Commission is unacceptable, and it is critical that the government not use security concerns as a pretext for impeding the democratic process," he said.
Parliamentary elections due to take place on 14 February have also been postponed to 28 March, and elections for state governors and assemblies slated for 28 February have been moved to 11 April.
The Boko Haram insurgency has led to more than a million people fleeing their homes.
Election promises, for what their worth. Jonathon lies relentlessly at the best of times; is he suddenly going to start telling the truth during an election? I don't think so. Would Buhari be any better? Who knows, but I wouldn't bet the farm on it.
 |
| Goodluck Jonathan |
 |
| Muhammadu Buhari |
GJ - Promises to do "everything humanly possible" to combat Boko Haram. Seeks greater regional and international co-operation to tackle the insurgency, terrorism, piracy and organised crime.
MB - Says the government has been ineffective and lacks the willpower to fight Boko Haram. Pledges to end the insurgency within months if elected.
Economy
GJ - Says he will continue with his economic blueprint known as the "2011-2015 Transformation agenda". Sees economic diversification as a key step towards addressing impact of fall in global oil prices.
MB - Says government's economic policies have worsened the lives of Nigerians. Promises to pick "competent hands" to run the economy. Pledges to close the wealth gap through shared economic growth.
Corruption
GJ - "We are fighting corruption. It is not by publicly jailing people. Yes, we believe in suppressing corruption, but our emphasis is in prevention."
MB - Says one of his key priorities is to wipe out corruption. "If Nigeria doesn't kill corruption, corruption will kill Nigeria".
Employment
GJ - Promises to create 2 million jobs each year. Launched YouWIN scheme for young entrepreneurs and Sure-P initiative aimed at helping graduates find jobs.
MB - Promises to create 20,000 jobs per state, totalling 720,000. Pledges support for the agricultural sector and soft loans for small manufacturers to boost job creation.
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