The United States government has promised to take action against politicians and other people who may be planning to indulge in or promote violence during the 2023 general elections in Nigeria.
According to the US government, any person caught in such activities will have visa restrictions imposed on him or her.
This disclosure was made by the American Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Africa, Mr Michael Gonzales who reiterated the commitment of the US government to the sustenance of democracy in Nigeria.
Applesbite understands he made the position of the American government known at a virtual international conference with the theme: “United States Policy and Nigeria’s National Decisions in the 2023 Elections”, held at Johns Hopkins University, United States.
The conference which held virtually, brought together Nigerian and American policy stakeholders to discuss issues ahead of the 2023 general elections in the West African nation.
It was organized by policy research center – Nexteer Nigeria, in partnership with SAIS at Johns Hopkins University; the School of International Service at the American University: and the Centre for Peace, Democracy and Development at the University of Massachusetts.
Speaking at the event, Gonzales said the United States government “will continue to use our messaging, as well as other diplomatic channels at our disposal, including visa restrictions, where warranted, to dissuade those who may be tempted to use violence to undermine Nigeria’s democratic process.”
He re-affirmed the commitment of the US government to a peaceful democratic transition in Nigeria through the successful conduct of the 2023 general elections.
