By Chinelo Obogo
Nigerians on social media have asked the US to reveal the names of those who were after by the visa restrictions imposed on individuals who undermined the 2023 elections.
The United States Secretary of State, Anthony Blinken, revealed on his official twitter handle on Monday that the US has imposed visa restrictions on Nigerians who undermined the 2023 general election but didn’t reveal the identity and number of persons affected.
But Nigerians said they aren’t swayed by the actions of the US, describing it as a routine exercise which takes place every election year. They instead said that for the sake of transparency, the US should release the names of those affected.
A prominent social media user, Chukwu Debelu, said, “What are their names? (These old tricks will not work in 2023), while another user, Weyimi Lube said; Dear Antony Blinken, we would like to know the names of the specific individuals who have visa restrictions. This is 2023, let the people know the names of the individuals who undermined the democratic process during the Nigeria 2023 election..
Another user, Frank Elendu, said, “But why can’t they mention their names? If it were Russia, North Korea, and/or China, they would mention the names and Frank Opara said, “Please, can you publish the names?”
Osasu Obayiuwana said, “It will be nice, for Nigerians to know who the affected people are. Naming and shaming them would be a lovely thing to do and Olaudah Equiano said: “If these visa bans don’t affect their immediate families, it wouldn’t be as effective and impactful. Nigerians and Nigerian-Americans are looking up to the United States to help protect our democracy and it’s tenets.”
A user, Tunde Adeparusi said: “More stringent punishment should be imposed on these electoral criminals. Hence, the election results decleared by INEC should not be applauded. Otherwise, this step taken by the US would not be justified. This is because if you condemn a shambolic process, please do not applaud the results declared based on the shambolic process”, while another, Amend said: “Restricting their family’s ability to access foreign healthcare and schools would be the most impactful sanction against African politicians who undermine democratic electoral processes.
“Refusing to legitimise the outcome of fraudulent elections by the U.S should also be adopted regardless of other interests the western governments may have.”
Oke Umurhohwo said: “Name and shame the specific individuals. This antics of keeping such individuals no longer work”, while Igho Ekakitie, said, ” Dear Secretary Blinken Thank you for the first action. But can their names be published? Also, I agree that you need to extend this restrictions to their families as well. When President Biden talks about semocracy being the standard over autocracy, then the process that leads to such democracy must be democratic, transparent and fair and there was nothing fair about our 2023 elections. The world is watching and we hope y’all do right by us the Nigerian people as we do right for ourselves by calling on our Judiciary to for once in the history of our country do the right thing.”