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USA Visa Ban: Yahaya Bello’s govt writes US over alleged ban

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The Kogi government on Friday petitioned the U.S. on its visa restrictions for unnamed individuals liable for undermining the Nigerian democratic process and for organising election-related violence.

The Kogi Government letter, KGS/GO/ADM/25/II/XXX, dated September 16 and signed by the state’s Secretary to the govt , Mrs Folashade Ayoade, was addressed to the U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria, NAN reports.




Ayoade acknowledged that a replica of the letter was received by the Embassy on Citizenship Day and made available to journalists in Abuja on Friday, saying that the letter was directed by the State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello.

The U.S. Government had sanctioned some Nigerians found to possess undermined the Nov. 2019 governorship polls in Bayelsa and therefore the Kogi States.

The U.K has also warned that names of sponsors of violence in Edo and Ondo States are going to be added to the prevailing blacklist.

However, Ayoade within the letter which read partially said: “Please note that for the aim of this protest letter, we are only curious about the citations to the extent that they’re preferable to Kogi State and her citizens.

“For the foremost part, we concede that elections in Nigeria are complex affairs which can still require improvements for the foreseeable future.

“The 2019 Kogi State Gubernatorial Election was also not without its challenges.

“However, it’s also crystal clear from critical and composite analyses of the records (official, media, observers, etc.) of the November 16, 2019 polls that regrettable incidents were limited to a couple of polling units.”

“For instance, a U.S-based blog made inflammatory publications during which it named Bello of Kogi State, among others, as a particular recipient of your visa restriction.

“Although you’ve got named no names, accuracy is of no moment to them, just base political expediency, and that they quote unnamed U.S. State Department sources to offer credibility to what’s otherwise unproven.”