US visa bans imposed on Nigerians who undermined elections

The US has restricted some Nigerians from getting visas due to the role they played in disrupting the country’s democratic processes during the February 25, 2023, general elections.

This was announced by the US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken in a tweet on Monday, May 15, 2023.

Antony Blinken stated that the US government is interested in and committed to supporting Nigerian aspirations to strengthen democracy and the rule of law.

“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,” he wrote.

The American government had placed similar visa bans on Nigerian politicians in the past.

Nigeria’s presidential results are however still in dispute and in court as opposition leaders Atiku Abubakar of the People Democratic Party and the Labour Party’s Peter Obi believe the President-elect, Ahmed Tinubu did not win fairly.

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.

— Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) May 15, 2023