A list of 102 prominent Nigerians, including three sitting governors, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman and Commissioners has appeared on a social media platform of Nigerians in the diaspora as those who have been put on the US VISA ban list.
There were doubts as to the authenticity of the controversial list on Wednesday evening.
The ban, according to the published list, also includes spouses, children, and relatives of those named.
Also on the list are 11 police commissioners, Universities’ Vice Chancellors, INEC State Resident Electoral Commissioners, a spokesman for one of the presidential candidates in the last presidential election, a Chairman for a Lagos State Government parastatal.
Only the Abia State Resident Electoral Commissioner is missing from the list.
Everyday.ng is unable to reproduce the list until an official confirmation is received.
A source told Everyday.ng that it would be difficult to get an official confirmation of the list, noting that the list smacked of hypocrisy when names of associates of the President-elect were published, while the beneficiary of the election “they gave an impression was flawed” is already in talks with the US Secretary of State.
Less than 36 hours ago, the United States government announced that it was placing visa restrictions on some Nigerians for their role in undermining democracy; but, again, it refused as always to list the names of those to suffer the ban.
The US Secretary of State, Anthony Blinken, twitted on Monday: “We have imposed visa restrictions on specific individuals who undermined the democratic process during Nigeria’s 2023 elections. We remain committed to supporting Nigerian aspirations to strengthen democracy and rule of law.”
In a statement published on the official website, the US stated: “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. These actions are specific to certain individuals and are not directed at the Nigerian people or the Government of Nigeria as a whole.
“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.
“The decision to take steps to impose visa restrictions reflects the continued commitment of the United States to support Nigerian aspirations to strengthen democracy and the rule of law.”