Nigeria’s opposition said Monday that delaying next month’s election because of raging Boko Haram violence would mark "a victory" for the insurgents, and urged the government to respect the electoral calendar.

Nigeria's opposition said Monday that delaying next month's election because of raging Boko Haram violence would mark "a victory" for the insurgents, and urged the government to respect the electoral calendar.

The opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) charged the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) with secretly backing postponement, and of using the extremist attacks as justification.

"The truth is that the forthcoming elections terrify the PDP and the (President Goodluck) Jonathan administration to such an extent that they are looking for ways to postpone or scuttle the polls," APC spokesman Lai Mohammed said in a statement.

"Any postponement on the basis of the insurgency in the northeast will represent a victory for the terrorist group Boko Haram," he added.