The United States of America has announced Visa ban to any political actor caught in the web of thwarting the fast-approaching general elections in Nigeria, Theliberationnews reports.
This is as the US, in a statement issued on Wednesday in Abuja by its
Secretary of State, Anthony Blinken, restated its commitment to solidifying democracy in Nigeria.
Recall that the US had following the 2019 General Election banned the issuance of visas to four governors, two ministers, a former Resident Electoral Commissioner among others.
Blinken noted that the restriction this time around will be extended to certain family members of such person caught perpetrating the act.
“Today, I am announcing visa restrictions on specific individuals in Nigeria for undermining the democratic process in a recent Nigerian elections.
“Under Section 212(a)(3)C) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, these individuals will be found ineligible for visas to the United States under a policy to restrict visas of those believed to be responsible for, or complicit in, undermining democracy in Nigeria.
“Certain family members of such persons may also be subject to these restrictions. Additional persons who undermine the democratic process in Nigeria—including in the lead-up to, during, and following Nigeria’s 2023 elections—may be found ineligible for U.S. visas under this policy.
“The visa restrictions announced today are specific to certain individuals and are not directed at the Nigerian people or the Government of Nigeria.
“The decision to impose visa restrictions reflects the commitment of the United States to support Nigerian aspirations to combat corruption and strengthen democracy and the rule of law,” he stated.
