U.S. to deny violence-promoting politicians visas

The United States will sanction Nigerian politicians who attempted or instigated violence during the elections, the Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, Ms Linda Thomas-Greenfield, has said.

She said the U.S. will impose visa restrictions on any Nigerian found to have incited violence or interfered with the electoral process.

Ms Linda Thomas-Greenfield  in an article wrote: “anyone found to have incited violence or interfered with electoral processes will be unwelcome in the United States and subject to visa sanctions”.

She did not give names of those considered for sanctions.

Ms. Thomas-Greenfield said, while the elections were generally without a significant scale of violence and irregularities in some parts of Nigeria, some people were resolved to undermine the will of Nigerians and interfere with electoral processes, resorting to violence and voter intimidation.

She said the U.S. regretted any loss of life and property during the process, adding that violence and rigging are unacceptable in a democratic electoral process.

She praised the Independent National Electoral Commission and its chair, Prof. Attahiru Jega.

She said: “Despite some technical hitches, it is clear that technology and use of social media-INEC’s online posting of results for each polling unit, live tweeting of results, the use of biometric permanent voter cards and electronic card readers- improved efficiency and limited fraud.”

Ms. Thomas-Greenfield said, “Now more than ever, it is up to all Nigerians to stay united so that Nigeria can move forward with a clear set of priorities for the future.

”This next phase is critical as the world continues its hopeful watch for what happens in Nigeria.”

”Nigerian democracy will be a beacon across the continent and beyond,” the assistant secretary, who was in Nigeria during the elections, said.

Ms. Thomas-Greenfield said the US looked forward to the inauguration of the president-elect, Muhammadu Buhari, on May 29 and the beginning of a new chapter of the relationship between the two countries.