United States Government has imposed visa restrictions on some Nigerians involved in undermining democracy during the November 2019 Kogi and Bayelsa states elections.
The spokesperson for the Department of State, Morgan Ortagus, disclosed this in a statement on Monday.
In the statement, Mike Pompeo, secretary of state, said the actions have also been taken against some persons in the run-up to the September and October 2020 governorship elections in Edo and Ondo.
He stated;
In July 2019, we announced the imposition of visa restrictions on Nigerians who undermined the February and March 2019 elections.
Today, the Secretary of State is imposing additional visa restrictions on individuals for their actions surrounding the November 2019 Kogi and Bayelsa State elections and in the run up to the September and October 2020 Edo and Ondo State elections.
Pompeo stressed that these individuals whose identities were not revealed, “operated with impunity at the expense of the Nigerian people and have undermined democratic principles”.
He said the ban is in furtherance of its commitment to strengthening democracy in Nigeria.
The statement added;
The Department of State emphasises that the actions announced today are specific to certain individuals and not directed at the Nigerian people. This decision reflects the Department of State’s commitment to working with the Nigerian government to realise its expressed commitment to end corruption and strengthen democracy, accountability, and respect for human rights.
US condemned the acts of violence, intimidation, or corruption that harmed Nigerians and undermined the democratic process.
The statement noted;
As the Edo and Ondo off-cycle elections near, we urge all stakeholders including the Independent National Electoral Commission, the political parties, and the security services, to uphold the tenets of democracy and facilitate genuinely free and fair elections, conducted in an appropriately transparent and non-violent manner.
