The postponement was due to security concerns, the
commission said.
The Islamist terror group Boko Haram has increased its
attacks against troops and civilians in the weeks
leading up to the elections.
"In consideration of the advice by the security
agencies, it will be unconscionable to have elections without adequate
security," said elections chairman Attahiru Jega, according to a tweet
from the Independent National Electoral Commission.
Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan, who is running for
re-election, has been criticized for not doing enough to combat Boko Haram. In
January, an angry mob pelted his motorcade with rocks while he was visiting
northeastern Nigeria. Jonathan a member of the PeoplesDemocratic Party, faces a
formidable challenge from a opposition alliance.
The All Progressives Congress called the delay a "major
setback for Nigerian democracy."
" I strongly appeal to all Nigerians to remain calm and
desist from violence and any activity which will compound this unfortunate
development. We must not fall into this obvious trap," party chairman John
Odigie-Oyegun. "Change we must. They can only delay it; No one can stop
it."
The announcement comes the same day Benin, Cameroon, Niger,
Nigeria and Chad pledged to deploy 8,700 troops, police and civilians, as part
of a regional effort to fight Boko Haram.
Boko Haram has terrorized northern Nigeria regularly since
2009, attacking police, schools, churches and civilians, as well as bombing
government buildings. The Islamist group has said its aim is to impose a
stricter form of Sharia law across Nigeria, which is split between a majority
Muslim north and a mostly Christian south.
Recently attacks in Nigeria and in neighboring Cameroon
and Chad have increased.
Source: CNN
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