UK Lists Names Of ‘Anti-Democratic’ Individuals For Visa Ban In Nigeria

The United Kingdom said it has started collating names and relevant information of those who who engaged in or incite electoral violence and other anti-democratic behaviours during the Governorship and states of assembly elections held on Saturday March, 2023.

VerseNews Nigeria reports that this was disclosed in a statement released by the British High Commission and signed by the Senior Communications and Public Diplomacy Officer, Atinuke Akande-Alegbe, in confirmation with the announced Visa ban disclosed by the UK Minister os State for development and Africa, Andrew Mitchell MP on 21 February.

“The UK Minister of State for Development and Africa, Andrew Mitchell MP, said on 21 February, that the UK is prepared to take action against those who engage in or incite electoral violence and other anti-democratic behaviours, and action could include preventing people from obtaining UK visas or imposing sanctions under our human rights sanctions regime.

“We can confirm that we are collating relevant information, with a view to taking action against some individuals,” the statement read.

The British Commission noted that there was improvement in the governorship election compared to the presidential election sighting the use of the Bimodal Voters Accreditation System (BVAS) during the election.

The Commission also said the Saturday’s election was flawed by violence, voter suppression harassment of journalists adding that freedom of speech and a free press are crucial for a healthy democracy.

DON’T MISS: 2023 Election: U.S. Vows To Place Visa Restriction On Nigerians Involved, Supported Election Violence

“More polling units opened on time, there was greater evidence of BVAS and IREV working and results uploaded in real time from polling units and collation centres. These are positive markers to build on for future elections.”

 “We witnessed and received credible reports from other observer missions and civil society organisations of vote buying and voter intimidation the destruction and hijacking of election materials and the general disruption of the process in numerous states including Lagos, Enugu and Rivers.

“In addition, we observed incidents of harassment of journalists. Freedom of speech and a free press are crucial for a healthy democracy, and journalists must be able to go about their work without being threatened.

“The UK is concerned by the use of inflammatory ethno-religious language by some public and political figures. We call on all leaders not just to distance themselves from this kind of language, but to prevent those who speak on their behalf from doing so in this way.”

“We urge any party or individual who wishes to challenge the process or outcome of the elections to do so peacefully and through the appropriate legal channels. We will be observing the course of legal challenges made.

“The 2023 elections are not only important to Nigeria and Nigerians, but to Africa and the world as a whole. As a long-term partner, the UK is committed to strengthening the ties between our countries and peoples, including by supporting democratic development.”