Adams Oshiomhole, former governor of Edo State and ex-National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, (APC), Yahaya Bello, Abdullahi Ganduje, governors of Kogi and respectively are said to be among top Nigerians affected by the latest US Visa ban on Monday, according to SaharaRepoters.
According to US officials, more Nigerian politicians may be included on the visa ban list after the Edo governorship election if they are involved in electoral malpractice.
Governor Nasir el-Rufai of Kaduna on the other hand had his own visa ban extended.
He has been banned from entering the US since 2010 over a graft case.
Those affected by the latest visa ban have received notification by email and or text messages, it was further learnt.A statement by spokesperson for the Department of State, Morgan Ortagus, on Monday said those issued visa bans received the sanction for undermining democracy in Nigeria.
It reads, “In July 2019, we announced the imposition of visa restrictions on Nigerians who undermined the February and March 2019 elections. Today, the Secretary of State is imposing additional visa restrictions on individuals for their actions surrounding the November 2019 Kogi and Bayelsa states elections and in the run up to the September and October 2020 Edo and Ondo states elections.
“These individuals have so far operated with impunity at the expense of the Nigerian people and have undermined democratic principles.“The Department of State emphasises that the actions announced today are specific to certain individuals and not directed at the Nigerian people. This decision reflects the Department of State’s commitment to working with the Nigerian Government to realise its expressed commitment to end corruption and strengthen democracy, accountability, and respect for human rights.”
He has been banned from entering the US since 2010 over a graft case.
Those affected by the latest visa ban have received notification by email and or text messages, it was further learnt.A statement by spokesperson for the Department of State, Morgan Ortagus, on Monday said those issued visa bans received the sanction for undermining democracy in Nigeria.
It reads, “In July 2019, we announced the imposition of visa restrictions on Nigerians who undermined the February and March 2019 elections. Today, the Secretary of State is imposing additional visa restrictions on individuals for their actions surrounding the November 2019 Kogi and Bayelsa states elections and in the run up to the September and October 2020 Edo and Ondo states elections.
“These individuals have so far operated with impunity at the expense of the Nigerian people and have undermined democratic principles.“The Department of State emphasises that the actions announced today are specific to certain individuals and not directed at the Nigerian people. This decision reflects the Department of State’s commitment to working with the Nigerian Government to realise its expressed commitment to end corruption and strengthen democracy, accountability, and respect for human rights.”
While the action is being taken against the alleged election Riggers or perpetrators of violence in last years elections, specifically in Kogi and Bayelsa, Nigeria’s home governments at both the federal and state levels are yet to take decisive action against alleged offenders.
For instance, some stakeholders in Kogi state are still eomdering why the Federal government and the security agencies are yet to take action on alleged election rigger’s and asornists in Kogi over 10 months after the elections.
According to a competent source and a politician in the state, the last gubernatorial election in the state has left bitter pills in the mouths of indigene that will take several years to come.
For instance, he queried why the police authorities which acknowledged presence of ‘fake uniformed security agents’ during the election and burning alive and killings of supporters, have neither attracted the attention of federal, state and police authorities.
“It’s a matter of regret that where the Nigerian government seem to have observed compromising silence, US has come to the aid of harpless Nigerians. It is well,“ he said.
