Nigeria has postponed this week’s presidential election until late March amidst a wave of violence from the militant group Boko Haram. The chair of Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission said security concerns prompted the move.

Attahiru Jega: “This concern is limited not just to the areas in the northeast part of Nigeria experiencing insurgency. 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 our innermost responsibility. Under such circumstances, we believe that few election management bodies across the world, if any, would contemplate proceeding with the elections as scheduled under these circumstances.”

President Goodluck Jonathan faces a tight race against former military ruler Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress. The delay could stoke unrest in opposition strongholds. In the capital Abuja, dozens of protesters rallied against the postponement.

Aisha Yusufu: “Right now, I’m very angry. I’m a very, very angry Nigerian. I’m not even angry at the government alone. I’m angry at citizens who sit down and take these things being thrown at them and do nothing about it, the impunity of the Nigerian citizen sitting down and doing nothing and expecting there will be a change. Where are we? We need to hit the streets. We need to ensure that we matter.”