By Kunle SHONUGA
The UK and the U.S. governments have announced visa restrictions for anyone attempting to encourage or use violence to influence the forthcoming elections.
The two countries made the announcement in separate statements by their embassies on Thursday, in Abuja.
Britain on its part reaffirmed its support for free, fair, transparent and peaceful elections.
The UK said: “We will continue to provide significant support to Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and to the Nigerian civil societies to help them deliver credible elections.
“We will be deploying an extensive observation mission for the forthcoming elections, including coordinating with the EU’s Election Observation Mission.
“Our monitors will in particular be looking out for any attempts to encourage or use violence to influence the elections, including on social media.
“We would like to remind all Nigerians that where the UK is aware of such attempts, this may have consequences for individuals.
“These could include their eligibility to travel to the UK, their ability to access UK based funds; or lead to prosecution under international law.”
The UK government also stated that it would regularly engage with actors across the political spectrum to encourage them to respect electoral rules and maintain an atmosphere of peace and calm.
“We, and other democratic nations, will be paying close attention to actions of individuals who interfere in the democratic process or instigate violence against the civilian population before, during, or after the elections.
“We will not hesitate to consider consequences, including visa restrictions, for those found to be responsible for election-related violence or undermining the democratic process.
“We welcome the signing of peace pledges by Nigerian candidates and their commitment to a peaceful electoral process.”
Similarly, the U.S. Government also threatened to impose visa restrictions on those found to be responsible for election-related violence or undermining the democratic process during the forthcoming General Elections.
U.S. said: “We will not hesitate to consider consequences – including visa restrictions – for those found to be responsible for election-related violence or undermining the democratic process.
“Under U.S. immigration law, certain violations may also lead to restrictions on family members.’’
The embassy said that the conduct of the upcoming elections in Nigeria was important not only for Nigeria, but for the African continent.
According to the embassy, the U.S. government does not support any specific candidate or party in Nigeria’s upcoming elections.
“The U.S. supports the Nigerian democratic process itself. We support a genuinely free, fair, transparent, and peaceful electoral process.
“We, and other democratic nations, will be paying close attention to actions of individuals who interfere in the democratic process or instigate violence against the civilian population before, during, or after the elections.
“We welcome the signing of peace accords by Nigerian candidates and their commitment to a peaceful electoral process,” U.S. stated. —–NAN
