The United States Government has imposed visa restrictions on “individuals responsible for undermining the Nigerian democratic process”.
A spokesperson of the US State Department, Ms Morgan Ortagus, said in a statement on Tuesday that the action applies to all those responsible for election-related violence in the West African country.
Ortagus, who failed to name those involved, accused the unidentified individuals of operating “with impunity at the expense of the Nigerian people and undermined democratic principles and human rights”.
According to the spokesperson, the action is in fulfillment of the US government’s earlier threat to consider sanctions against anti-democratic forces, including organisers of election-related violence in the country.
“In a January 24 statement, the U.S. government said that we would consider consequences – including visa restrictions – for individuals responsible for undermining the Nigerian democratic process or for organising election-related violence.
“To that end, the Secretary of State is imposing visa restrictions on Nigerians believed to be responsible for, or complicit in, undermining democracy in Nigeria.
“These individuals have operated with impunity at the expense of the Nigerian people and undermined democratic principles and human rights,” she said
Recall that some reports by security agencies and collaborated by elections’ monitors had said about 39 lives were reportedly lost in violence related incidences during the last general elections in Nigeria.
By NAN