Some Nigerians have reacted angrily to the US Government visa restrictions on individuals responsible for undermining the Nigerian democratic process.
Their anger was based on the non-release of names of those banned. They also insisted that President Muhammadu Buhari be sanctioned.
A spokesperson of the U.S. Department of State, Ms Morgan Ortagus, in a statement on Tuesday, said the government’s action applied to those responsible for election-related violence.
Ortagus said the unidentified individuals had “operated with impunity at the expense of the Nigerian people and undermined democratic principles and human rights”.
The action, according to the spokesperson, was in fulfilment of the U.S. government’s earlier promise to consider sanctions against anti-democratic forces, including organisers of election-related violence in the country.
“In a Jan. 24 statement, the U.S. government said that we would consider consequences – including visa restrictions – for individuals responsible for undermining the Nigerian democratic process or for organising election-related violence.
“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 operated with impunity at the expense of the Nigerian people and undermined democratic principles and human rights,” she said.
The spokesperson emphasised that the restrictions were targeted at specific individuals and not directed at the Nigerian people or the newly-elected government.
She explained that the decision reflected the Department’s commitment to working with the Nigerian government in its anti-corruption crusade and efforts to strengthen democracy, accountability and respect for human rights.
In reaction to the spokesman’s announcement, Nigerians stormed her Twitter page (@statedeptspox) to express their views.
Below are some reactions:
@OrdinaryOFS: Please the main problem in Nigeria is our president, he’s incompetent, clueless and always thirsty for blood, he keeps disenfranchising citizens of their #HumanRights because they are not on the same page with him, supporting him will make him wreak more havoc.
@Obiagwu_Conrade: Buhari should be the first on that list.
@AmBestmanBuka: If I understood you correctly, you said that United States of America will help Nigeria fight and eradicate all killer deseases and will work hand in hand with HIV to see its achieved. Thank you very much, don’t mention!
@ChuksMultiP: The same Buhari you’re committed to working with, was the architect behind the insane election rigging.
@EduWaltzChuka: This update is useless if no name is released. We need names, we want it to be displayed publicly. You can’t undermine democratic process after the election and still be appointed into public office in the same Country.
@AbdulMahmud01: Names please.
@yungflamzey: How are you imposing visa restrictions on those believed to have undermined the Nigeria’s 2019 elections and be working with President Buhari at the same time? Someone that should be on the list is your ally. You joke much?
@sammygyang: Start with the tyrant Buhari because he masterminded the rigged election. Stop working with a terrorist
@SomTeeOnline: If the US cared about human rights in Nigeria, they shouldn’t be working with President Buhari.
@chrisxyluv: Dear Morgan, the president himself have no respect for human right. Please start with him.
@henro006: How can you people work with the chief beneficiary of the mirage election that was conducted by a partisan electoral commission and aided by compromised security agencies?
@ObiMomoh: Buhari is Nigeria best president from inception of democracy; extend the visa ban to looters, please.
@Aminu_78: The person the U.S is committed to working with gave the greenlight for the election to be rigged in his favour, and he is not under any visa restriction.
@ThePsalms_NG: The main culprit that undermined the democratic process is the one you’re committed to working with.
@Raouc1: If you don’t ban Buhari then this is not justified.
@Arshavin02349: The United States is hypocritical for wanting to work with d No. 1 culprit that undermined d democratic process throughout #Nigeria elections & greatest violator of #HumanRights. Anyway, the United States can keep deceiving gullible Nigerians that are happy over this Tweet.
@bent21m: @MBuhari is the principal, he won the election undermined by those placed on visa restriction. @MBuhari should be part of them.
