US announces visa ban on individuals ‘undermining’ Nigeria’s election

The USA has introduced visa restrictions on people believed to be “undermining the democratic course of” in a current election in Nigeria.

“These people shall be discovered ineligible for visas to america beneath a coverage to limit visas of these believed to be liable for, or complicit in, undermining democracy in Nigeria. Sure members of the family of such individuals may be topic to those restrictions,” US Secretary of State Antony Blinken mentioned in an announcement Wednesday.

The assertion didn’t specify the names of these people.

The US announcement comes forward of Nigeria’s normal elections on February 25. The polls will decide a successor to the nation’s President Muhammadu Buhari, who’s serving a closing second time period.

Further individuals who “undermine the democratic course of” in Nigeria – together with within the lead-up to, throughout and following Nigeria’s 2023 elections – could also be discovered ineligible for US visas, Blinken mentioned.

“The choice to impose visa restrictions displays the dedication of america to help Nigerian aspirations to fight corruption and strengthen democracy and the rule of legislation,” he continued.