The United States government announced Monday that it has imposed additional visa restrictions on Nigerian politicians who undermined the democratic process or organized election-related violence during the November 2019 Kogi and Bayelsa gubernatorial elections. The US State Department in a statement published on its website also admonished all stakeholders, including the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), political parties, and security services, to uphold the tenets of democracy and ensure that the upcoming elections in Edo and Ondo states be genuinely free and fair.
The US State Department however insisted that the visa restriction were specific to certain individuals and not directed at the Nigerian people. “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 statement read in part.
Efforts by Huhuonline.com to get the list of people affected by the new visa restrictions were abortive as officials in the Bureau of African Affairs in “Foggy Bottom” promised to review the request and reply within three to five days. Read full statement below.
US Department of State
Press Statement
Morgan Ortagus, Department Spokesperson
September 14, 2020
Imposing Visa Restrictions on Nigerians Responsible for Undermining the Democratic Process
“The United States is a steadfast supporter of Nigerian democracy. We commend all those Nigerians who participated in elections throughout 2019 and have worked to strengthen Nigerian democratic institutions and processes. We remain committed to working together to advance democracy and respect for human rights and achieve greater peace and prosperity for both our nations. We condemn the acts of violence, intimidation, or corruption that harmed Nigerians and undermined the democratic process. 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.
In a statement on January 24, 2019, the U.S. Government said we would consider consequences – including visa restrictions – for individuals responsible for undermining the Nigerian democratic process or for organizing election-related violence. 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 emphasizes 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 realize its expressed commitment to end corruption and strengthen democracy, accountability, and respect for human rights.”
