2023 Elections: US Threatens to Restrict Visas of Violence Promoters

• The U.S. has threatened to restrict visas on anyone who promotes violence during the 2023 elections.

• The U.S government is committed to working with Nigeria to ensure a peaceful election and power transition in 2023.

• Mr. Michael Gonzalez, the U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Africa gave this warning during an international conference on Wednesday

The U.S. has threatened to impose visa restrictions on anyone who encourages violence during Nigeria’s general election in 2023.

This warning was issued by Mr. Michael Gonzalez, the U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State during an International Conference that was held at John Hopkins University, U.S. The event was tagged “United States Policy and Nigeria’s National Decisions in the 2023 Elections’.

The conference virtually brought all the Nigerian and American policymakers communities to discuss the upcoming 2023 general elections in Nigeria.

Mr. Gonzales stated that the U.S. government will use messages and other diplomatic channels within their power, like visa restrictions where it’s warranted to dissuade anyone who wants to sabotage Nigeria’s election process.

Patrick Okigbo, Nextier’s Founding Partner clarified the purpose of this conference was to raise election conversations and discuss problems on an international level. 

He emphasized the need for Nigeria’s international partners to help by supporting Nigeria’s election process. He indicated that democracy isn’t an end state but a project that needs constant nurturing.

He further said that The insecurities in Nigeria and bad occurrences in West Africa and Sahel regions as a whole should encourage Nigeria’s elite to use the upcoming elections to reduce tension and make the country flourish.

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Mr. Okigbo said that if they fail to address all the issues that were raised during the conference it would lead to devastating consequences.

Nigeria’s 2023 elections are set to hold on 25 February and 11 March, according to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

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