The United States has imposed visa ban on some individuals for roles they played during the November 2019 Kogi and Bayelsa State elections and in the countdown to the September and October 2020 Edo and Ondo State elections.
While announcing the visa ban, United States Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, disclosed the visa restriction will also affect individuals that were involved in negative practices in the run-up to the September and October 2020 Edo and Ondo State elections owing to their conduct in the run-up to the poll.
A statement recentlt signed by the Department of State’s spokesperson, Morgan Ortagus, reads: “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.
“These individuals have so far operated with impunity at the expense of the Nigerian people and have undermined democratic principles.
“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.”
While reiterating its commitment to Nigerian democracy and condemning all acts of electoral violence, intimidation, or corruption that undermined the democratic process, the United States said: “As the Edo and Ondo State 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.”
