2023 ELECTIONS: US Govt Takes Steps To Sanction Nigerians Who Hindered Democratic Process

Few months after the February 25 and March 18, 2023 general elections in Nigeria, the United States Government has revealed that it has taken steps to sanction individuals who worked against a democratic process during the polls.

According to a statement signed by the Secretary of State, Anthony Blinken, and published on the website of the US government on Monday, May 15, defaulting Nigerians will face visa restrictions for working against democracy through intimidation of voters using threats and physical violence, manipulation of results, and others.

The US Government assured that it is committed to advancing democracy in Nigeria and all over 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.”

“The United States is committed to supporting and advancing democracy in Nigeria and around the world,” Blinken added that the visa restrictions “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 (non mentioned) 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 statement read in parts.