The United States government
appears set to sanction Nigeria’s
first lady, Patience Jonathan, a
former Niger Delta minister,
Godsday Orubebe, and the
governor of Katsina State, Ibrahim
Shema, and other Nigerians
accused of either disrupting the just
concluded elections, or instigating
violence.
The U.S. said Monday that it will
impose visa restrictions on any
Nigerian found to have incited
violence or interfered with the
electoral process.
The U.S. Assistant Secretary of State
for African Affairs, Linda Thomas-
Greenfield, said in a​ statement that
the U.S. will shut its doors on
people involved in any form of
violence during the polls.
“Anyone found to have incited
violence or interfered with electoral
processes will be unwelcome in the
United States and subject to visa
sanctions,” Ms. Thomas-Greenfield
said.
Although Ms. Thomas-Greenfield
did not give names of those
considered for sanctions, Mr.
Orubebe, appears one of the most
likely targets.
The former minister openly
disrupted the process of collation of
the presidential election results in
Abuja on March 31, as the event
was broadcast live by the
international media.
Accusing the head of the
Independent National Electoral
Commission, Attahiru Jega, of bias,
Mr. Orubebe for several minutes
asked Mr. Jega to stand down
before the process could continue.
The former minister received
worldwide condemnation for his
actions, and later apologised.
Mrs. Jonathan had said at the
ruling Peoples Democratic Party
Women Campaign in Calabar,
Cross River State, early March, that
anyone chanting change should be
stoned.
“I’m telling you, anyone that comes
and tell you change, stone that
person,” she said. “What you did
not do 19 kilikili, is now that age
has caught up with you, you want
to come and change? You can’t
change rather you will turn back to
a baby. You will turn back to a
baby. From old age nothing, so
nothing like change. Rather (it) is
continuity.”
The sanctions may also target Mr.
Shema of Katsina state, who was
caught on tape prodding his
supporters to attack and kill
opposition members and their
supporters. He described members
of the opposition as “cockroaches”.
The deputy governor of Rivers
State, Tele Ikuru, had also during a
campaign rally in the state, called
on the people to fight and redeem
the state from the All Progressives
Congress, APC, even if it means
shedding their blood.
“It is necessary for the sake of your
fathers, for the sake of your
mothers, for the sake of your
brothers and sisters and for the
sake of your children.
Every Rivers man must stand up to
fight this evil among us,” Mr. Ikuru
said. “If it demands your blood, so
be it.”
Also, in January, the Kaduna State
governor, Mukhtar Yero, was
caught on tape threatening violence
against the APC.
Mr. Yero vowed swift “revenge” if
ever attacked by any one “born of
woman”.
The U.S. may also target the former
militant leaders in the Niger Delta
who threatened war if President
Goodluck Jonathan lost the
elections.
The ex-militant leaders, among
them, Mujahid Dokubo-Asari,
leader, Niger Delta Peoples
Volunteer Force; Victor Ben
Ebikabowei, aka, Boy Loaf; and
Government Ekpudomenowei, aka,
Tompolo, made the threat in
January.
Several other politicians may also
be sanctioned after investigations
into dozens of election-related
violence are completed.
Ms. Thomas-Greenfield said, while
the elections were generally
without a significant scale of
violence, and irregularities in some
parts of Nigeria, some people were
resolved to undermine the will of
Nigerians and interfere with
electoral processes, resorting to
violence and voter intimidation.
She said the U.S. regretted any loss
of life and property during the
process, adding that violence and
rigging was unacceptable in a
democratic electoral process.
She commended the Independent
National Electoral Commission and
its chair, Attahiru Jega. She also
encouraged Nigeria and other
nations to continue to explore the
use of relevant technologies in
future elections.
She said, “Despite some technical
glitches, it is clear that technology
and use of social media-INEC’s
online posting of results for each
polling unit, live tweeting of results,
the use of biometric permanent
voter cards and electronic card
readers- improved efficiency and
limited fraud.”
The US President, Barack Obama,
had before Nigeria’s general
elections said successful elections
and democratic progress will help
Nigeria meet the urgent challenges
Nigerians face today.
Ms. Thomas-Greenfield said, “Now
more than ever, it is up to all
Nigerians to stay united so that
Nigeria can move forward with a
clear set of priorities for the
future”.
She said the U.S. welcomed all
commitments made by the outgoing
and the incoming presidents
towards a peaceful transition
process.
“This next phase is critical as the
world continues its hopeful watch
for what happens in Nigeria,” she
said.
She said the conclusion of a
peaceful electoral process in
Nigeria will serve as an example to
other nation preparing for
elections.
She said, “Nigerian democracy will
be a beacon across the continent
and beyond”.
Ms. Thomas-Greenfield said the US
looked forward to the inauguration
of the president elect, Muhammadu
Buhari, on May 29 and the
beginning of a new chapter of the
relationship between the two
countries.
Source: Premiumtimes

Well done op...
I think it's a good idea
Well done US...

edwapkalmeed:

The U.S. said Monday that it will
impose visa restrictions on any
Nigerian found to have incited
violence or interfered with the
electoral process.
Source: Premiumtimes

Don't worry, the US won't find any of them guilty of incitement to commit violence or interfering with the Electoral process. Their vessel is empty and empty vessels make most noise!!!