“We hope that if there is any doubt about the election that they will use their court system and not encourage their supporters to go into the streets,” said the official, who declined to be identified under the department’s protocol for briefing reporters.

The Nigerian public has become increasing alarmed by the army’s inability to stop attacks and kidnappings by Boko Haram, which already controls much of the northern part of Nigeria.

“There is increasing concern about the future of Nigeria’s political stability as the conflict continues,” noted a report by C.N.A. Corporations, a research organization based in the United States, which recently issued a report on the conflict with Boko Haram. “The inability of the military to beat back Boko Haram, combined with an increasing number of bombings in the south of the country and high-profile kidnappings, has eroded support for President Jonathan’s administration (even within his traditional southern support base) and has begun.”

The election on Feb. 14 is expected to be closely contested, and it is possible there could be at least one runoff, which would prolong uncertainty and potentially open the door to violent protests.

Under election rules, a candidate must get at least 50 percent of the overall vote and 25 percent of the vote in two-thirds of Nigeria’s states to win.

If no candidate wins outright, a runoff will be held a week after the initial vote under the same rules. If there is still not a clear victor, a second runoff would be held seven days later, and the candidate who receives the majority of the votes nationwide would be declared the winner.

An oil exporter, Nigeria has the biggest economy in Africa, but the decline in world oil prices has shaken its economic prospects.