A non-governmental organisation, Advocacy for Advancement of Peace and Harmony in Africa Initiative (ADAPHAI) has slammed the United States government for failing to reveal those who were affected by the travel ban recently placed on some politically-exposed Nigerians.
WE4WE REPORTS recalls that the US State Department, through its spokesperson, Morgan Ortagus on Tuesday disclosed that “We condemn those whose acts of violence, intimidation, or corruption harmed Nigerians or undermined the democratic process.
“The secretary of state is imposing visa restrictions on Nigerians believed to be responsible for, or complicit in, undermining democracy in Nigeria.
“These individuals have operated with impunity at the expense of the Nigerian people and undermined democratic principles and human rights”, Ortagus said.
ADAPHAI, in a press statement signed by its National Coordinator, Comrade Sulaimon Suberu, a copy of which was sent to WE4WE REPORTS on Thursday, said the American government failed to demonstrate its stance as leading democratic nation in the world.
According to Suberu, failure to mention individuals who were affected by the travel ban raised suspicion on the sincerity of that action and the notion behind it.
He insisted that there must be clarity of intent and purpose on a decision of such magnitude to avert misgivings and confusion.
“We are utterly disappointed in the American government on its recent travel restriction ban placed on anonymous politicians in Nigeria.
“It behooves on the US to boldly come out to name those individuals they considered to have undermined democratic principles and ethos in the just concluded general elections in Nigeria, as a leading light among world democratic nations.
“The US should know that their decision to conceal those who were affected by the ban has seriously watered down the sincerity and seriousness of such decision and raise profound suspicion,” the statement read.