Abuja , Nigeria ( CNN ) Nigeria 's elections have been postponed from next Saturday to March 28 , the country 's election commission announced Saturday . The postponement was due to security concerns , the commission said . The Islamist terror group Boko Haram has increased its attacks against troops and civilians in the weeks leading up to the elections . `` In consideration of the advice by the security agencies , it will be unconscionable to have elections without adequate security , '' said elections chairman Attahiru Jega , according to a tweet from the Independent National Electoral Commission . Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan , who is running for re-election , has been criticized for not doing enough to combat Boko Haram . In January , an angry mob pelted his motorcade with rocks while he was visiting northeastern Nigeria . Jonathan a member of the Peoples Democratic Party , faces a formidable challenge from a opposition alliance . The All Progressives Congress called the delay a `` major setback for Nigerian democracy . '' `` I strongly appeal to all Nigerians to remain calm and desist from violence and any activity which will compound this unfortunate development . We must not fall into this obvious trap , '' party chairman John Odigie-Oyegun . `` Change we must . They can only delay it ; No one can stop it . '' The announcement comes the same day Benin , Cameroon , Niger , Nigeria and Chad pledged to deploy 8,700 troops , police and civilians , as part of a regional effort to fight Boko Haram . Boko Haram has terrorized northern Nigeria regularly since 2009 , attacking police , schools , churches and civilians , as well as bombing government buildings . The Islamist group has said its aim is to impose a stricter form of Sharia law across Nigeria , which is split between a majority Muslim north and a mostly Christian south . Recently attacks in Nigeria and in neighboring Cameroon and Chad have increased . Boko Haram attacks Nigerian city in second takeover attempt . CNN 's Lillian Leposo and Christian Purefoy reported from Nigeria and Steve Almasy wrote in Atlanta . Journalist Ngala Killian Chimtom contributed to this report .
Nigeria elections delayed six weeks because of violence in northeastern part of country . Opposition party calls for calm , says change can not be prevented . Score: 6