Attahiru Jega, Independent National Election Commission Chairman announced the decision on February 7, 2015.

The Nigerian electoral body, Independent National Election Commission (INEC) has postponed from February 14, 2015 to March 28, 2015, the presidential election mainly pitting incumbent Goodluck Jonathan against the former military ruler Muhammadu Buhari.

"The commission cannot lightly wave off the advice of the nation's security chiefs ... 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," Reuters quoted Attahiru Jega, Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as having told reporters. He is further quoted as clarifying that, "Consequently, the commission has decided to reschedule the elections thus.

The national elections, i.e. presidential and national assembly, are to hold on March 28, 2015; governorship and State assembly elections are to hold on April 11, 2015." Jega reportedly explained that the National Security Adviser (NSA), Sambo Dasuki had written to INEC last week stating that it could not guarantee security during the original proposed election timetable because of on-going military operations to fight Boko Haram insurgents, a position the NSA reinforced during Thursday's meeting with the Council of State. Despite the change of electoral timetable, Mr. Jega is quoted as saying that, "Nobody has coerced us ... to take this decision."

Police in Abuja and other cities are on the alert for unrest over the election, BBC said, stating that the postponement is a highly contentious move.  Officials from the main opposition, All Progressives Congress (APC) whose candidate is Muhammadu Buhari accuse the military of forcing the electoral commission into the delay to help the sitting president's campaign, BBC reported.

The People's Democratic Party (PDP) of incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan has been pressuring the commission to delay the polls, arguing it is not ready to hold them, Reuters said.  The party called for a delay last month over concerns that not enough biometric Identity cards necessary for voting would be distributed in time.