Worth the wait?

This weekend should have marked a watershed in Nigerian democracy: the moment when the country held its first elections unscarred by corruption. Instead, the country's future was thrown into confusion as the election was postponed for six weeks. Officials deem it a matter of security - but others smell foul play.

Nigeria's security chiefs say they can't guarantee voters' safety from Boko HaramBoko Haram (literally 'Western education is forbidden') are a brutally violent organisation responsible for thousands of civilian deaths, as well as attacks on schools and the infamous kidnapping of 276 teenage girls., the Islamist extremists spreading terror through the country, and that the military first needs to regain control of areas held by the terrorists.

In a country that was under military rule until 1999, this news appears ominous. Widespread protests have erupted among Nigerians hoping for a democratic election. The government stands accused of manufacturing the opportunity to gain momentum against the opposition: for the first time in its 16-year reign there's been close competition.

The People's Democratic Party (PDP) and its president Goodluck Jonathan are running against the All Progressives Congress (APC), led by former dictator BuhariMuhammadu Buhari, a retired Major General. He ruled Nigeria in the mid 1980s after a military coup. Some hope that he may bring about positive change in spite of his past. A Muslim, he has more support in the north of the country.. APC is poorer than PDP so a six week delay is not in their favour. APC calls the president's decision a 'major setback for Nigerian democracy'.

Boko Haram, the 'worst threat to Nigeria's security', has stepped up attacks in the election run-up. Over many years it has displaced, kidnapped and murdered Nigerians as part of its aim to topple the government and establish an Islamist caliphate.

Critics accuse Jonathan, who is a Christian from southern Nigeria, of responding sluggishly to terrorism and abandoning the poor mostly Muslim north of the country to Boko Haram. Buhari has also accused the president of corruptionWhen someone abuses their power for personal gain. It often involves bribery. saying: 'If Nigeria doesn't kill corruption, corruption will kill Nigeria'.

If the election goes ahead peacefully and democratically, Nigeria's politics and its future could vastly improve. It is the most populous country in Africa, with the biggest and fastest growing economy. It also exercises huge cultural influence, with a film industry that dominates the continent.

Some support the postponement, however regrettable it is: democracy is important but not at the cost of risking countless lives. A reported 1.5 million Nigerians have already fled the country - the country cannot afford any more violence and disruption.

Yet, others argue, Afghanistan, Ukraine and Iraq have all managed to hold elections despite similar security concerns. 'Nigeria's ruling party will use the extra time to guarantee Jonathan's victory by any means necessary,' one journalist says: 'bribery, intimidation and rigging.' Democracy cannot be held to ransom by terrorists: the show must go on.