Africa
7 February 2015
Last updated at 18:40 ET
The vote has been looking like a close race
The election will now be held on 28 March instead.
President Goodluck Jonathan is facing a strong challenge in the contest.
Police in Abuja and other cities are on the alert for unrest over the election
The postponement is a highly contentious move, the BBC's Will Ross reports from Lagos.
Officials from the main opposition party accuse the military of forcing the electoral commission into the delay to help the sitting president's campaign.
It looks set to be a tight race between Mr Jonathan and the former military ruler, Muhammadu Buhari, our correspondent says.
The postponement may well increase the tension which is already palpable, he adds.
Where candidates stand on key election issues
While the personalities of the two main candidates have been
at the forefront of this election campaign, certain key issues - namely
insecurity, elite corruption among high-profile politicians and business
leaders and the state of the economy - have become increasingly
important to voters.
Profile: Goodluck Jonathan
Profile: Muhammadu Buhari
Thousands of people have died as a result of the Boko Haram
insurgency, while more than a million people have been displaced over
the past six years.
The militants control a large stretch of land in north-eastern Nigeria but have also started attacking neighbouring countries.
The group attacked a town in Niger for the first time on Friday.
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by Tokun Lawal and Biodun Iginla, BBC News Analysts, Lagos, Nigeria
The vote has been looking like a close race
The
electoral commission in Nigeria has postponed the 14 February
presidential election by six weeks over concerns about the security
situation.
Commission chief Attahiru Jega said he had been told troops
would not be available to help patrol the ballot because they would be
fighting Boko Haram militants in the north-east.The election will now be held on 28 March instead.
President Goodluck Jonathan is facing a strong challenge in the contest.
Police in Abuja and other cities are on the alert for unrest over the election
Officials from the main opposition party accuse the military of forcing the electoral commission into the delay to help the sitting president's campaign.
It looks set to be a tight race between Mr Jonathan and the former military ruler, Muhammadu Buhari, our correspondent says.
The postponement may well increase the tension which is already palpable, he adds.
| Goodluck Jonathan | Muhammadu Buhari |
|---|---|
|
|
Security |
|
| Promises to do "everything humanly possible" to combat Boko Haram. Seeks greater regional and international cooperation to tackle the insurgency, terrorism, piracy and organised crime. | Says the government has been ineffective and lacks the willpower to fight Boko Haram. Pledges to end the insurgency within months if elected. |
Economy |
|
| Says he will continue with his economic blueprint known as the "2011-2015 Transformation agenda". Views economic diversification as a key step towards addressing the fall in global oil prices. | Says government's economic policies have worsened the lives of Nigerians. Promises to pick "competent hands" to run the economy. Pledges to tackle poverty by closing the wealth gap through shared economic growth. |
Corruption |
|
| Says "we are fighting corruption. It is not by publicly jailing people. Yes, we believe in suppressing corruption, but our emphasis is in prevention." | Says one of his key priorities is to wipe out corruption. "If Nigeria doesn't kill corruption, corruption will kill Nigeria". |
Employment |
|
| Promises to create 2 million jobs each year. Launched YouWIN scheme for young entrepreneurs and Sure-P initiative aimed at helping graduates find jobs. | 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. |
Infrastructure |
|
| Credits his administration with reviving the railway system and improving road infrastructure. | Pledges to complete stalled road projects and improve infrastructural development nationwide, especially in the north-east. |
Energy |
|
| Says government's privatization of the power generation and distribution companies will ensure regular power supplies in the future. | Favours exploration of non-oil sector. Says economic diversification key to addressing falling global oil prices. |
Profile: Muhammadu Buhari
The militants control a large stretch of land in north-eastern Nigeria but have also started attacking neighbouring countries.
The group attacked a town in Niger for the first time on Friday.
Please include a telephone number if you are willing to be contacted by a BBC journalist.
Or comment here:
Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (international). Or you can upload here.
Read the terms and conditions.
Nigeria decides: 2015
Features
-
Nigeria's presidential election on 14 February promises to be a closely fought rematch between incumbent Goodluck Jonathan and former military ruler Muhammadu Buhari.
How election works
-
Praying for power
-
Sharing the cake
-
Why is Boko Haram so strong?
-
Internet warriors
-
Serious about tackling corruption?
Related Stories
From other news sites
-
Guardian.co.uk Nigeria poll postponed over battle with Boko Haram 31 mins ago
-
Yahoo! UK and Ireland Nigeria postpones Feb. 14 presidential election to March 28: INEC 35 mins ago
-
Mail Online UK Nigeria delays presidential vote by six weeks over security fears 49 mins ago
-
Reuters UK REFILE-UPDATE 1-Nigeria postpones Feb. 14 presidential election to March 28 -INEC 51 mins ago
-
Financial Times* Fears for integrity of Nigeria poll grow 04 Feb 2015
- About these results
