MON, MAY. 15 2023-theGBJournal | ”We have imposed visa restrictions on specific individuals who undermined the democratic process during Nigeria’s 2023 elections cycle,” US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, announced today while reiterating the US’s commitment to ”supporting Nigeria aspirations to strengthen democracy.”
Top opposition party chieftains say the US Government move is a clear confirmation and acknowledgement that the 2023 General Elections was fraught with huge electoral manipulations.
”We see that as a huge victory today and hope other countries will now boldly condemn the electoral robbery that took place on 25 February, 2023,” a top opposition party chieftain told theGBJournal in Abuja.
Secretary Blinken noted that the action ”these actions are not directed at the Nigerian people or Government of Nigeria as a whole.”
Blinken said, in a statement seen by theGBJournal, that ”these individuals, under Section 212(a)(3)C) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, will be subject to restrictions on visas to the United States under policy covering those believed to be responsible for, or complicit in, undermining democracy.”
He said 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,” Blinken said.
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