In an effort to strengthen democracy and combat corruption in Nigeria, the United States has placed visa restrictions on some Nigerians who are suspected of undermining it.
The sanctioned persons, whose identities he withheld, would not be eligible for a US visa, according to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who made this announcement on Wednesday.
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The senior diplomat also mentioned that a similar ban might apply to some of the individuals’ family members who are prohibited from entering the US.
He stated, ”We are committed to supporting and advancing democracy in Nigeria and around the world. Today, I am announcing visa restrictions on specific individuals in Nigeria for undermining the democratic process in a recent Nigerian election.
‘’Under Section 212(a)(3)C) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, these individuals will be found ineligible for visas to the United States under a policy to restrict visas of those believed to be responsible for, or complicit in, undermining democracy in Nigeria.
‘’Certain family members of such persons may also be subject to these restrictions. Additional persons who undermine the democratic process in Nigeria including in the lead-up to, during, and following Nigeria’s 2023 elections may be found ineligible for U.S. visas under this policy.’’
Blinken made it clear that neither the Nigerian people nor the government was the focus of the visa ban.
The US government’s dedication to assisting Nigeria in its efforts to fight corruption and enhance democracy and the rule of law was reflected in it, according to him.
‘’The visa restrictions announced today are specific to certain individuals and are not directed at the Nigerian people or the Government of Nigeria. The decision to impose visa restrictions reflects the commitment of the United States to support Nigerian aspirations to combat corruption and strengthen democracy and the rule of law,’’ the statement said.
The news comes just two months after Rolf Olson, a political adviser at the US Embassy in Nigeria, threatened to impose visa sanctions on anyone who attempted to sabotage Nigeria’s democratic process.
Last November at a Hubert Humphrey Fellowship alumni association conference, Olson stated sanctions had been applied to those who had tarnished the nation’s elections in the past.
He said, ‘’Even a small number of troublemakers can cause substantial havoc to an election. It takes a comprehensive effort to try to eliminate the use of violence and inflammatory rhetoric.
“Individuals seeking to undermine the democratic process, including through violence, may be found ineligible for visas to the United States.
We have imposed visa restrictions in the past against those responsible for, or complicit in, undermining the democratic process, and remain fully willing to do so again in the context of the upcoming elections.”
