World
Nigeria Elections: Goodluck Jonathan Denies Role in Poll Delay
Nigeria President, Goodluck Jonathan, speaks during the World economic forum on Africa in Abuja, Nigeria, Thursday, May 8, 2014. (AP Photo/Sunday Alamba)
(BBC) – Nigeria’s President Goodluck Jonathan has denied he was consulted over the postponement of Saturday’s presidential and parliamentary elections.
Election officials took the decision on the advice of security officers concerned about the Islamist-led insurgency in the north-east, he said.
The six-week delay was not a “big deal”, he said on national television.
The opposition claims Mr Jonathan pushed for the polls to be delayed because he feared defeat.
The elections have been rescheduled for 28 March.
Analysts say the election is the most closely contested since military rule ended in 1999.
