ATIKU SUPPORTS THE US VISA BAN ON ELECTION RIGGERS.

Atiku Abubakar, the Peoples Democratic Party presidential candidate, has backed the US visa ban on alleged election riggers in Nigeria.

THE PREMIER NEWS reports that the United States has imposed visa restrictions on some Nigerians accused of undermining democracy, noting that this is part of a larger effort to advance democracy and combat corruption in Nigeria.

The sanctioned individuals, whose names he did not reveal, would be ineligible for a US visa, according to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who announced this in a statement on Wednesday.

The top diplomat also stated that some family members of those barred from entering the United States may face the same restrictions.

“We are committed to supporting and advancing democracy in Nigeria and around the world,” he said. Today, I am announcing visa restrictions on certain Nigerians for undermining the democratic process in a recent Nigerian election.

“Under Section 212(a)(3)C) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, these individuals will be found ineligible for visas to the United States as part of a policy to restrict visas for those suspected of undermining democracy in Nigeria.

“These restrictions may also apply to certain family members of such individuals. Additional individuals who undermine Nigeria’s democratic process, including in the run-up to, during, and after the 2023 elections, may be found ineligible for US visas under this policy.”

Blinken clarified that the visa restriction was not aimed at Nigerians or the government.

However, in response to the ban, Atiku called on other “established democracies” to join the US in banning visas for election riggers in Nigeria.

“I welcome the United States visa ban on anti-democratic elements whose actions seek to undermine the 2023 elections in Nigeria.

“I encourage other established democracies to follow suit to ensure that there is no safe haven for our democracy’s adversaries,” the former vice president wrote.