The US Ambassador to Nigeria, Mary Leonard, on Wednesday reiterated her country’s decision to deny or revoke visas for Nigerians, who are trying to sabotage the 2023 general elections.
Leonard made the statement in Abuja at a Multi-Stakeholder Dialogue with the theme: “Nigeria’s 2023 Elections: Promoting Youth Action for Peace and Stability”.
The dialogue was organized by the National Orientation Agency (NOA), in collaboration with the Building Blocks for Peace Foundation.
The envoy said: “The United States stands firm with the demands and desires of the Nigerian electorate for election transparency and integrity.
“Individuals, who undermine or undermine the democratic process in any way, including through intimidation and violence, may be found ineligible for a visa to travel to the United States.
“We have taken steps in the past to impose US visa restrictions on anyone involved in undermining the election process.
“And in fact, the Secretary of State, Blinken, announced last week that we will impose sanctions related to these actions.
“We will also deny or revoke visas to those who try to sabotage the upcoming elections.
“Visa records are confidential, so we will not disclose the identity of those subject to visa sanctions.
“However, I can say that I know of people traveling to the US who have been or will be blocked for these reasons.
“We are looking for all Nigerians to speak out from using violence or inflammatory rhetoric.”
According to him, politicians and candidates have the right to challenge their opponents’ stances on issues.
“However, the use of inflammatory and intimidating rhetoric, and irresponsible incitement to violence, is extremely dangerous for the country and public faith in elections.
“It is also important that candidates and parties and supporters do not make predictions of victory or immediately claim fraud, if they lose at the ballot box.
“Candidates and parties aspiring to public office must accept one basic truth – losers can.
“If a candidate is not willing to accept the possibility that he may be defeated, then he should not run for office.
“There is no democratic election where the outcome is actually predicted.
“In the United States, for example, we have seen many contests where certain candidates appear to have won, based on popular opinion or pre-election polling data, only for the vote to prove otherwise.
“In many political races, voting results are difficult to predict and the unexpected can happen on Election Day.
“Everyone should remember that the only polls that matter is the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) that will be counted in late February and March,” he said.
The 2023 elections are an important opportunity for Nigeria – Africa’s most populous country and largest economy – to cement its place as a democratic leader in Africa.
“We do not choose candidates; we choose an open, transparent and peaceful process,” he said.
According to him, elections are the foundation of democracy and the basis for the legitimate transfer of power.
“I think it is important for all of us to reflect on the fact that, since 1999, the Nigerian electorate has successfully used its sixth democratic power to determine the next leader of the country.
“For more than two decades, Nigeria has demonstrated to Africa and the rest of the world its strong commitment to peaceful, credible and transparent elections.
“At a time when many places in West Africa are challenging like term limits and democratic processes, for Nigeria, the rules of the democratic game are deeply internalized and accepted.”
He said President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris have a personal commitment to strengthening democracy in the U.S. and around the world.
“At the invitation of the Government of Nigeria, the Biden administration expanded its longstanding partnership with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and Nigerian civil society organizations.
“Through USAID, the US is providing 25 million dollars in election-related support to Nigeria for the 2023 election cycle,” the envoy said.
Leonard said the US has full confidence in INEC and its ability to manage and conduct credible and transparent elections.
“We saw INEC’s capabilities displayed during the successful off-cycle elections in Ekiti and Osun, and we hope to see that success across the country during the February and March general elections.’
“Our confidence stems from the signing last year by President Muhammadu Buhari and other elected leaders of the 2022 Electoral Act.
“This key law strengthens Nigeria’s electoral system, for example, through the use of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) for voter accreditation and electronic transmission of results.
“This is a proven way to increase transparency and reduce the potential for vote tampering,” he said.
Earlier, Dr Davidson Aminu, Senior Lecturer, Philomath University, Abuja, called on Nigerian youths to take advantage of the power of numbers to elect the best quality and candidates that will promote youth development and empowerment.
Aminu said the youth should use their voices wisely to bring about generational change without violence and acrimony.
According to him, he must maintain peace for the country in order to succeed in the upcoming general elections.
Also, the Director General of NOA, Dr Garba Abari, said the dialogue was aimed at educating Nigerian youths to take action against hate speech and fake news so that they can vote peacefully and free from violence.
Abari then called on the youth to shun drug addiction and other vices that could destroy the democratic process.