Nigeria election: Minister 'confident' poll will happen

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The BBC's Will Ross says there are fears that the elections could be postponed for good

Nigeria decides: 2015

• How election works
• Praying for power
• Sharing the cake
• Why is Boko Haram so strong?

Nigeria's interior minister believes the fight against Boko Haram will be successful enough for the postponed elections to go ahead, he told the BBC.

Abbo Moro said he had been advised by the military that enough troops would be available in six weeks' time to secure the presidential ballot.
Officials say they delayed the vote to 28 March because troops needed for security are fighting the militants.
Opposition candidate Muhammadu Buhari has made a plea for calm.
But he said the independence of Nigeria's electoral commission had been "gravely compromised" by the decision to postpone the elections.
Meanwhile Boko Haram launched its second attack in three days on neighbouring Niger, targeting the border town of Diffa on Sunday. At least one person was killed in a blast in the town's market.
Saturday's decision to postpone the presidential poll was welcomed by the ruling party of incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan though the US said it was "disappointed".
Parliamentary elections due to take place on 14 February have also been postponed to 28 March, and elections for state governors and assemblies slated for 28 February have been moved to 11 April.

Boko Haram attacks during election campaign

Women who escaped a 2014 Boko Haram attack in Nigeria's Adamawa state are now staying at a camp for displaced people

• 8 January: President Jonathan opens his election campaign
• 14 January: Nigerian military repel attack on the town of Biu in the north-eastern state of Borno
• 18 January: Suicide bomber kills four people after detonating a car bomb at a bus station in north-eastern Yobe state
• 25 January: Militants attack strategically important north-eastern city of Maiduguri, with dozens reported killed
• 4 February: Militants kill up to 70 people in attack on Cameroon
• 6-8 February: Attacks on Niger repulsed by Niger's military

Who are Nigeria's Boko Haram Islamists?
How have Boko Haram become so strong?

'Free and fair' A regional coalition formed recently to fight Boko Haram was gaining the upper hand, Mr Moro said.
"I think that we don't have any reason not to be optimistic that they [the Nigerian military] are capable to bring the war to a level that will allow for a free and fair election," he said.
"I think that they know what stakes are involved - it's a national election, it's a national concern and the international community is watching."
Mr Buhari cautioned against any retaliatory acts of violence.
He said they could "only complicate the security challenges in the country".
A close race is being predicted between Mr Buhari, a former military ruler, Mr Jonathan.

The ongoing fight against Boko Haram has delayed Nigeria's election

Nigerians protest against the postponement of the election

Opposition officials accuse the military of forcing the electoral commission into the delay to help the sitting president's campaign.
The Boko Haram insurgency has led to more than a million people fleeing their homes, and the conflict is now poised to draw in neighbouring countries.
On Saturday Nigeria and the governments of Cameroon, Chad, Niger and Benin agreed to establish a force of 8,700 troops, police and civilians to fight the group.

Nigeria's presidential contenders:

Goodluck Jonathan	Muhammadu Buhari
Security
Promises to do "everything humanly possible" to combat Boko Haram. Seeks greater regional and international co-operation to tackle the insurgency, terrorism, piracy and organised crime.	Says the government has been ineffective and lacks the willpower to fight Boko Haram. Pledges to end the insurgency within months if elected.
Economy
Says he will continue with his economic blueprint known as the "2011-2015 Transformation agenda". Sees economic diversification as a key step towards addressing impact of fall in global oil prices.	Says government's economic policies have worsened the lives of Nigerians. Promises to pick "competent hands" to run the economy. Pledges to close the wealth gap through shared economic growth.
Corruption
"We are fighting corruption. It is not by publicly jailing people. Yes, we believe in suppressing corruption, but our emphasis is in prevention."	Says one of his key priorities is to wipe out corruption. "If Nigeria doesn't kill corruption, corruption will kill Nigeria".
Employment
Promises to create 2 million jobs each year. Launched YouWIN scheme for young entrepreneurs and Sure-P initiative aimed at helping graduates find jobs.	Promises to create 20,000 jobs per state, totalling 720,000. Pledges support for the agricultural sector and soft loans for small manufacturers to boost job creation.