President Muhammadu Buhari said he was “deeply disappointed” but urged people to refrain from “civil disorder“, while he reacted upon the decision to postpone the vote announced by the electoral chief, Mr Yakubu, who said: “Our decision was entirely taken by the commission. It has nothing to do with security, nothing to do with political influence.”. 

Yakubu insisted the delay was down to problems with the transportation of electoral materials – ballot papers and results sheets – to some regions of the country.

Main rival Atiku Abubakar called for patience but accused the administration of “anti-democratic acts“.

Election officials cited “logistical” reasons for delay in presidential and parliamentary polls.

Nigerian media reported about President’s Buhari decision to sack the INEC chairman Yakubu for the failure to organise the elections according tot he declared schedule.