The United States have slammed some Nigerians with visa restrictions ban.
They are accused to have intimidated voters through threats and physical violence, manipulation of election results and any other activities that run contrary to democratic tenets during the recent general elections.
This was made known on Monday by the Secretary of State, Anthony Blinken, in a statement posted on the website of the US government.
“Today, I am announcing that 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 United States is committed to supporting and advancing democracy in Nigeria and around the world,” he said.
According to Blinken, the visa restrictions “are specific to certain individuals and are not directed at the Nigerian people or the government of Nigeria as a whole.”
According to him, “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.”
While Blinken did not disclose the names of those on the visa ban list, such people, if they apply for American visa, could be refused or if they already have valid visas, could be denied entry to the US.
