The United States government is likely to sanction
Dame Patience Jonathan, Godsday Orubebe, a
former Niger Delta minister, Ibrahim Shema, the
governor of Katsina state, and other Nigerians
accused of either inciting violence or disrupting
elections in the country.

According to Premium Times, Linda Thomas-
Greenfield, the US Assistant Secretary of State for
African Affairs, in a statement issued on Monday,
April 20, said that the USA would 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,” she said.

It is worth mentioning that Ms Thomas-Greenfield
did not give names of those considered for
sanctions.

However, Orubebe appears one of the most likely
targets. It would be recalled that the former minister
openly disrupted the process of collation of the
presidential election results on March 31, 2015, in
Abuja. Orubebe received worldwide condemnation
for his actions, and later apologized for his behavior

Patience Jonathan had said at the Peoples
Democratic Party Women Campaign in Calabar,
Cross River state, 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 Governor Shema of
Katsina state, who was caught on tape encouraging
his supporters to physically assault and kill
opposition politicians in the state. He described
members of the opposition as “cockroaches”.

Tele Ikuru, the deputy governor of Rivers State, had
also during a campaign rally in the state, called on
the people to fight and redeem the state from the
All Progressives Congress 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.

“If it demands your blood, so be it,” Ikuru said.

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 US 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 INEC and its chair, Attahiru
Jega, called on Nigeria to continue to explore the
use of relevant technologies in future elections.

“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.”

Before Nigeria’s general elections, the US President,
Barack Obama, had stated that successful elections
and democratic progress would help Nigeria meet
the urgent challenges Nigerians face today.

“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.

“This next phase is critical as the world continues its
hopeful watch for what happens in Nigeria,” Ms
Thomas-Greenfield said.

According to her, the conclusion of a peaceful
electoral process in Nigeria will serve as an example
to other nation preparing for elections. She added
that 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.

http://www.naij.com/424992-us-to-impose-visa-sanctions.html?pk_campaign=ush

Most of these pips no longer fashion travelling to America. Dubai will come in handy.
America needs Dubai's help in this....but wait a minute, I don't believe it. They'll rather wait until they've landed before seizing their loot and refuse transferring it back to Nigeria.