Some individual that paticipated in rigging Kogi State November 16th 2019 election has been ban from entry US.
The United States Government announced the imposed of visa restriction on some these individuals for their actions during the November 2019 Kogi and that of Bayelsa state election.
Some individual from Bayelsa state were also restricted from entry US.
The US government also said some individual which is suspected to be preparing to rig September and October 2020 Edo and Ondo state elections has been restricted from entry US.
Despite the elections is yet to be hold in Edo and Ondo states, the Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, said imposed the visa restriction on these set of individuals is due to their conduct in the run-up to the poll.
This is according to a statement signed by the spokesperson for the Department of State, Morgan Ortagus, on Monday.
“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 State elections and in the run up to the September and October 2020 Edo and Ondo State elections.
“These individuals have so far operated with impunity at the expense of the Nigerian people and have undermined democratic principles,” the statement read in part.
But the identify of those ban where not reveal, but according to the statement, the ban is to strengthen Nigeria democracy.
“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,” the statement read.
It condemned the acts of violence, intimidation, or corruption that harmed Nigerians and undermined the democratic process.
“As the Edo and Ondo State off-cycle elections near, we urge all stakeholders, including the Independent National Electoral Commission, the political parties, and the security services, to uphold the tenets of democracy and facilitate genuinely free and fair elections, conducted in an appropriately transparent and non-violent manner,” the US stated.
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