The United States is to impose visa restrictions on some persons considered to have undermined Nigeria’s democratic process in the last general election.
This is according to the Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, in a statement published on the US government’s website on Monday.
According to him, steps were already being taken to that effect.
Although he did not mention the name of anyone, he said the action was a reflection of the continued commitment of the United States to support Nigerian aspirations to strengthen democracy and the rule of law.
Said he: “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 pointed out that the visa restrictions “are specific to certain individuals and are not directed at the Nigerian people or the government of Nigeria as a whole.”
He said “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.”
“These individuals have been involved in intimidation of voters through threats and physical violence, the manipulation of vote results, and other activity that undermines Nigeria’s democratic process,” Blinken explained.
