The Federal government of Nigeria has reacted to the recent Visa ban against election riggers by the United States, describing the action as disrespectful to our corporate sovereignty as an independent country in the League of Nations. The Federal Government made this known through a statement made on Friday Night in Abuja by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and was read by, Mr. Ferdinand Nwoye, spokesperson for the ministry.
The statement was a reaction to the recent announcement by the United States and the United Kingdom to impose a visa ban on election riggers and those who undermine the electoral process.
The federal government has shown a commitment to providing all that is required to ensure the electoral process is conducted in a sane manner.
The statement reads; “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs wishes to state that the Nigerian government has taken note of the concerns of some of our partners, especially the U.S. and UK governments regarding the elections in Edo and Ondo States.
“They have also expressed their intentions to take punitive measures against those who decide to, in what they termed as, undermine democracy.
It further stated that “It is important to highlight that the responsibility for the conduct of elections in Nigeria solely resides with the Independent National Electoral Commission and State Independent Electoral Commissions.
Therefore, “The Federal Government, and especially the President, is committed to providing all necessary logistic, financial, and security support to the electoral process.
According to the statement, the Nigerian president has consistently called on all the parties involved to eschew violence both during and after the election.
It further revealed that the Nigerian law has a provision of punishing electoral offenders, but it considers it as disrespectful for any outside power to decide what constitute an electoral offense in Nigeria with punitive action.
“While we appreciate the support and encouragement of our international partners such as the EU, we urge our equally valued partners such as the UK and U.S. to cooperate with our relevant agencies,” the government said.
Meanwhile, the federal government is calling on all and sundry to support the security agencies in tracing and getting hold of any material evidence that would aid the prosecution of electoral offenders.
The statement said the Nigerian government has expressed solidarity with the US and the UK as progressive partners in the forthcoming election, ensuring that it would be free, fair, and credible.
