The United States announced on Monday that it had taken action to impose visa bans on individuals who interfered with the most recent general elections in Nigeria.

This was made clear in a statement issued by Secretary of State Anthony Blinken on Monday and published on the US State Department website

 “The United States is committed to supporting and advancing democracy in Nigeria and around the world. 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.”

He made it clear that the visa restrictions only apply to a select group of people and are not intended to apply to the Nigerian populace or the Nigerian government as a whole.

The statement claims that these people will be subject to visa restrictions under the US Immigration and Nationality Act because they are thought to be either responsible for, or complicit in, undermining democracy.

“These individuals have been involved in intimidation of voters through threats and physical violence, the manipulation of vote results, and other activity that undermines Nigeria’s democratic process,” Mr Blinken said.

He stated that the decision to impose visa restrictions reflects the United States’ ongoing commitment to supporting Nigerian aspirations to strengthen democracy and the rule of law.

The US, however, did not name the Nigerians affected by the latest visa ban, despite the fact that some Nigerians, including controversial Lagos bus transport chief Musiliu Akinsanya, also known as MC Oluomo, were caught on video threatening potential voters.

The most recent elections in Nigeria took place on February 25 and March 18, respectively, for federal and state elections. There were many irregularities in the process, including pockets of violence in various parts of the nation.

Bola Tinubu was elected president-elect in the presidential election on February 25. He will be sworn in on May 29, despite the fact that his election is being challenged in court by his two main opponents.