•John Kerry
United States Secretary of State John Kerry has visited Nigeria, preaching peace, ahead of the elections. Vice President Joe Biden has spoken on the need for violence-free elections. And President Barack Obama has urged Nigerians to keep this country united – whatever the outcome of the elections.
However, the United States are not just aiming at peace during the elections but also after the elections. The United States have sent hundreds of marines to neighbouring Ghana. As stated by an Aviation source in Accra, Ghana's capital, two Hercules C-130 transport planes landed at the Kotoka Airport last week, bearing "at least three helicopters".
"There are well over 200 marines," the source stated.
"They are camped at the airport," he also stated.
The helicopters are belived to be meant for the quick evacuation of Americans in Nigeriain the event of violence. It was not immediately clear yesterday where the marines and equipment may have been moved from. The United States has military bases in Europe.
The source also stated two United States Navy ships had been sighted off the coast of Takoradi, Ghana. A Ghana Defence source stated one of the ships is equipped with medical facilities. "More marines are expected," he stated.
"It is not unusual for the United States or any other country to do this because they have to protect their people."
Ghanaians have noticed the presence of the marines. The popular thinking is that they are in the country to train the military. "Their mission is to move into Nigeria swiftly, should there be any need to do so," the source added.
The United States is stated to have had an intelligence report that the election could turn bloody, if the result does not favour the ruling party. Leaders of the PDP and the APC are belived to be willing to accept the result, but according to a source, "there are fears that should the polls be rigged, the citizenry may reject the results".