By Fatima Zahra Muhammad
ASHENEWS reports that the government of the United States says it has imposed a visa ban on some Nigerians who had undermined democracy during the general elections in the country.
The US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken stated this in a statement issued on Monday.
According to the statement, the unnamed individuals were 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.
“We have imposed visa restrictions on specific individuals who undermined the democratic process during Nigeria’s 2023 elections. We remain committed to supporting Nigerian aspirations to strengthen democracy and the rule of law.
“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 said.
In February, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) urged the United States President, Joe Biden to exercise his powers under the Presidential Proclamations 7750 and 8697 and the Immigration and Nationality Act to ban Nigerian officials, politicians, and other perpetrators and sponsors of violence during the just concluded elections.
The letter signed by SERAP’s Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, said “The imposition targeted sanctions against suspected perpetrators and sponsors of election-related violence in Nigeria would promote accountability, end impunity and deter human rights violations,”
