According to the US, efforts have been made to place visa restrictions on Nigerian citizens who interfered in the recently held elections.
The news was released in a statement on Monday by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
According to the statement, Secretary of State Antony Binken stated that “the United States is committed to supporting and advancing democracy in Nigeria and around the world” in a statement on the website of the US State Department.
“Today, I am announcing that we have taken steps to impose visa restrictions on specific individuals in Nigeria for undermining the democratic process during Nigeria’s 2023 elections cycle.”
He made it clear that the visa suspension only applies to a select group of persons and is not intended to affect all Nigerians or the Nigerian government.
The United States had frequently threatened to take harsh punitive action against anyone who interfered with the Nigerian election. Blinken claimed in January that individuals who harmed the 2022 gubernatorial elections in Ekiti and Osun were subject to immigration restrictions.
“Under Section 212(a)(3)C) of the immigration and nationality act, these individuals will be subject to restrictions on visas to the United States under a policy covering those believed to be responsible for, or complicit in, undermining democracy,” the statement added.
“These individuals have been involved in the intimidation of voters through threats and physical violence, the manipulation of vote results, and other activity that undermines Nigeria’s democratic process.
“The decision to take steps to impose visa restrictions reflects the continued commitment of the United States to support Nigerian aspirations to strengthen democracy and the rule of law.”
The US, however, omitted to identify the Nigerians who were subject to the most recent visa suspension, despite the fact that certain Nigerians, including the contentious head of the Lagos bus system, Musiliu Akinsanya, also known as MC Oluomo, were seen on camera threatening voters.
Glamour Adah
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