Presidential and parliamentary elections in Nigeria have been awitched from February 14 to March 28, 2015.

The announcement by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) came after weeks of near-daily insurgent attacks in northeastern Nigeria blamed on the Islamist militant sect Boko Haram.

But some have suggested there was another reason for the postponement - the political woes of incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan, who faces a strong challenge from ex-military ruler Muhammadu Buhari.

Buhari said the delay had compromised the INEC's independence. "Although INEC acted within its constitutional powers, it is clear that it has been boxed into a situation where it has to bow to pressure," he told a news conference in Abuja.

Buhari's All Progressive Congress (APC) went further calling the decision a "major setback for democracy."

Some Nigerians DW spoke to in the commercial hub Lagos were also unimpressed by the decision to move the poll back six weeks.

"For me I don't think it is very good. If it is because of violence they said they postpone it, I don't think it is reasonable enough," said Wura Samba.

Logistical reasons

But others cited logistical reasons why it made sense to delay the vote. The ruling People's Democratic Party said the postponement would enable many eligible voters who had yet to receive their Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) to obtain them in time.

"I know that there are some states where people have not even gotten their PVCs so let us just give INEC a chance. Let them do what they are supposed to be doing and let's have peaceful, credible elections," Leo Taylor told DW.

Difficulties in distributing the voter identity cards were one reason why national security advisor Sambo Dasuki had raised the prospect of a postponement last month.

He said voter safety could not be guaranteed on February 14 because all available military resources were committed to an intensified operation against the Islamists.

Dauski said on Monday the poll would not be postponed again. But it is an open question whether the authorities will be able to tighten security significantly within six weeks.

Jibrin Ibrahim, political analyst with the Centre for Democracy and Development told the AFP news agency "they say they need six weeks to defeat Boko Haram. Boko Haram has been growing for six years."

Garba Kare, lecturer in politicial science at the University of Abuja told DW's AfricaLink show said that if Nigerians had to wait until the insecurity was completely eliminated then it will not be possible to have any elections.

"A lot of Nigerians are apprehensive that it is possible that the elections may not take place in the six weeks announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission," he said.

Gubernatorial and state assembly elections have been shifted from February 29 to April 11, 2015.

The United States said it was deeply disappointed by the delay, with Secretary of State, John Kerry warning the Nigerian government against "using security concerns as a pretext for impeding the democratic process"

DW's correspondent in Lagos, Sam Olukoya, says the coming six weeks "could be crucial to peace and stability in the country."