Nigeria postpones presidential vote over security

A photograph made available 07 February 2015 shows supporters of incumbent Nigerian president Goodluck Jonathan at a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) election campaign rally in Yenagoa, Nigeria, 06 February 2015

The vote has been looking like a close race

Nigeria decides: 2015

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.

Nigerian police patrol the Nigerian capital, Abuja, 7 February

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.

Boko Haram attacks during election campaign

Women who escaped a 2014 Boko Haram attack in Nigeria's Adamawa state at a camp for displaced people, 31 January

Women who escaped a 2014 Boko Haram attack in Nigeria's Adamawa state are now staying at a camp for displaced people

8 January: President Jonathan opens his election campaign
14 January: Nigerian military repel attack on the town of Biu in the north-eastern state of Borno

18 January: Suicide bomber kills four people after detonating a car bomb at a bus station in north-eastern Yobe state
25 January: Militants attack strategically important north-eastern city of Maiduguri, with dozens reported killed

4 February: Militants kill up to 70 people in attack on Cameroon

6 February: First attack on Niger repulsed by Niger's military

Who are Nigeria's Boko Haram Islamists?

How have Boko Haram become so strong?

'Onerous responsibility'

"The commission cannot lightly wave off the advice of the nation's security chiefs," said Mr Jega.

"The risk of deploying young men and women and calling people to exercise their democratic rights in a situation where their security cannot be guaranteed is a most onerous responsibility."

Parliamentary elections due to take place on 14 February have also been postponed to 28 March.

Elections for state governors and assemblies slated for 28 February have been moved to 11 April.

The contenders

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: 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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