By Ishaya Ibrahim
The United States on Monday announced visa ban on Nigerians who disrupted the 2023 general election.
Although the U.S. did not name the Nigerians on the list, there are strong indications that some allies of the President-Elect, Bola Tinubu, would feature prominently on it.
Among them is Femi Fani-Kayode who was named by a British Deputy High Commissioner to Nigeria, Ben Llewellyn-Jones as engaging in behaviour deserving of visa ban.
Also, Bayo Onanuga, who headed Tinubu’s media team, may likely face the same sanction because of his anti-Igbo comment.
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The sacked leader of the Lagos Park and Garages, Musliu Akinsanya, popularly known as MC Oluomo, may also be on the list due to the threat he issued against those who wanted to vote for candidates other than the Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
The statement, signed by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Binken and published on the State Department website read: “the United States is committed to supporting and advancing democracy in Nigeria and around the world. 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.”
He clarified that the visa ban is specific to certain individuals and is not directed at the Nigerian people or the Government of Nigeria as a whole.
According to the statement, the individuals, under US Immigration and Nationality Act, 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,” Blinken said.
The decision to take steps to impose visa restrictions, he said, reflects the continued commitment of the United States to support Nigerian aspirations to strengthen democracy and the rule of law.
