The United States of America has made good on its promise to mete out punishment on individuals or groups suspected to have undermined democratic processes in the 2019 general elections. The U.S. State Department on Wednesday, July 24 2019, stated that it would be imposing visa restrictions on persons who interfered in the electoral process. The statement clarified that the measure was reflective of the United States’ support of the commitment of the Nigerian government towards fighting corruption and not targeted at the Nigerian people or the newly elected government.
The statement commended Nigerians who participated peacefully in the elections and worked to strengthen democratic institutions and processes. It further read thus: “We remain committed to working together to continue to advance democracy and respect for human rights and achieve greater peace and prosperity for both our nations. We condemn acts of violence, intimidation or corruption that harmed Nigerians or undermined the democratic process. To that end, the Secretary of State is imposing visa restrictions on Nigerians believed to be responsible for, or complicit in, undermining democracy in Nigeria. These individuals have acted with impunity at the expense of the Nigerian people and undermined democratic principles and human rights”.
It will be recalled that prior to the 2019 general elections, the United States Embassy and the British High Commission in Abuja, issued statements in January 2019 in which the two countries pledged support for free and fair elections in Nigeria. They however warned that any individual found responsible for instigating violence or interfering in the electoral process before, during and after the elections could be punished by visa restrictions, which may be extended to family members of such persons.