The United States has said it is restricting entry to people “believed to be responsible for, or complicit in, undermining democracy in Nigeria”, ahead of that country’s elections this year.
The announcement on Wednesday also extends to the families of those accused of anti-democratic efforts, according to the US Department of State. Nigeria’s February 25 elections will determine who will replace President Muhammadu Buhari, who has reached the country’s two-term limit after serving eight years in office.
“Additional persons who undermine the democratic process in Nigeria — including in the lead-up to, during and following Nigeria’s 2023 elections — may be found ineligible for US visas under this policy,” US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement.
The vote in Nigeria, Africa’s largest economy and most populous country, comes as the country faces widespread insecurity, with the electoral commission itself targeted by recent violence.
Earlier this month, Nigerian police repelled attacks on election commission offices in the southeastern state of Enugu. In December, five people were killed in three attacks on offices in the southeastern state of Imo.
Nevertheless, officials have said the polls will not be delayed. (Aljazeera)
