By Udesinanna Stephen
The United States, US has imposed visa ban on individuals in Nigeria who were engaged in rigging and intimidation of voters during the just concluded Nigeria’s 2023 general elections.
This was made known in a press statement signed by the US Secretary of State, Anthony Blinken.
The statement partly read, “We have taken steps to impose visa restrictions on specific individuals in Nigeria for undermining the democratic process during Nigeria’s 2023 elections cycle.”
The statement which was obtained from the official Twitter account of the US Mission in Nigeria, @USinNigeria has that, the Visa restrictions are specific to certain individuals and not against Nigerians or the Government of Nigeria.
Anthony 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.” He added.
More so, Secretary Antony Blinken on his Twitter handle @SecBlinken noted that the US “remains committed to supporting Nigerians aspirations to strengthen democracy and rule of law.
However, the US did not disclose the names of those included on the visa ban list.
