The United States has confirmed that the visa restrictions on Nigerian politicians involved in election manipulation may also extend to their family members.
The US Department of State had in a statement on Tuesday announced visa restrictions as consequences for persons believed to be responsible for election-related violence and rights abuses before, during and after the 2019 polls.
Sequel to this, the agency added that the restrictions would also affect family members of such individuals “when warranted.”
The statement received by The Punch, and emailed by Nicole Thompson of the State Department Press Office, read in part, “Any individual named in this policy who already has a visa to travel to the US will be informed that it has been revoked.
“Any individual named in this policy who applies for a visa to travel to the United States will be denied one.
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“These restrictions may, when warranted, also affect the family members of those individuals subject to visa restrictions under this policy.”
“Under US law, individual visa records are confidential and we cannot provide details as to who is or will be affected.
“The policy covers those believed to be responsible for or complicit in, undermining democracy, including those responsible for or complicity in the rigging of the electoral process; corruption; vote-buying; intimidation of voters, the media or election observers through threats or acts of physical violence; suppression of peaceful protestors; and threats against judicial independence.
“With these restrictions, we are sending a clear message that those who undermine democracy or violate or abuse human rights – and their families – are not welcome in the United States.”