THE spokesperson of the defunct Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) Daniel Bwala has described the visa ban imposed on some Nigerian politicians by the United States (US) as an indication that the 2023 presidential elections was manipulated.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, had on Monday, May 15, announced that the US has imposed visa ban on some Nigerians who undermined the democratic process during the general elections.
Speaking on Arise TV on Tuesday, May 16, Bwala stated that the action taken by the US authorities confirmed allegations that the elections were rigged.
“The US visa ban for perpetrators of election malfeasance re-emphasises the fact that the 2023 elections were flawed.”
Although those affected by the visa ban were not named, Bwala said majority of them are public office holders.
“The majority of these select individuals are government functionaries like governors, ministers, heads of parastatals and individuals acting on behalf of the government.”
The ICIR reported that the US Secretary of State Blinken announced the visa ban in a statement on the US State Department website.
“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,” Blinken said in the statement.
He explained that the visa ban is for certain individuals who had disrupted the 2023 general elections.
The statement noted that the individuals, under the US Immigration and Nationality Act, 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.
Blinken noted that individuals who were involved in intimidation and threatening of voters were banned.
He also added that those involved in the manipulation of election results, and other activities that undermined Nigeria’s democratic processes, were also affected.
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