Opposition All Progressive Congress (APC)
leader Muhammadu Buhari has reportedly urged his
supporters to take advantage of the postponement
of the country's elections.
The elections which were scheduled to take place on
14 February were moved to a later date after
Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)
expressed concern over security.
The elections have been pushed from 14 February
to 28 March, while the state gubernatorial and
legislative votes have been moved to 11 April.
Watch the video below as INEC Chairperson
INEC, Attahiru Jega announces the
postponement of the polls.
According to Premium Times, Buhari told his
supported just after the announcement that the
delay gave them an opportunity to mobilise support
among Nigerians.
Buhari warned that his party won't tolerate any
further delays, calling on INEC to maintain the newly
scheduled date.
"The elections must be sacrosanct," Buhari was
quoted as saying.
According to reports, the delay was set to give a new
multinational force – made up of at least 8 700
troops, police and civilians to secure north-eastern
areas under the sway of Boko Haram Islamist
insurgents .
There were fears that millions could be
disenfranchised if the vote went ahead while the
Boko Haram held a large swath of the northeast.
According to Africa Check, this is not the first time
that INEC has delayed a presidential vote. The
commission did so in 2011, but this time it has
come "in the context of a far tighter political race".
President Goodluck Jonathan is set to face Buhari in
the elections described by analysts as the fiercest in
many years.
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