Alhaji Atiku Abubakar | ReutersPaul Ibe, a media aide to the Presidential candidate of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, has said that the US visa ban on politicians who undermined Nigeria’s democracy has confirmed the malpractices that characterised the 2019 elections.
In a statement today, July 24, Paul Ibe who claimed that Atiku won the election, referred specifically to the US State Department statement by its spokesman, Morgan Ortagus on Tuesday, July 23, which is “we condemn those whose acts of violence, intimidation, or corruption harmed Nigerians or undermined the democratic process.”
“Speaking further, Mr. Ortagus said, “the Secretary of State is imposing visa restrictions on Nigerians believed to be responsible for, or complicit in, undermining democracy in Nigeria. These individuals have operated with impunity at the expense of the Nigerian people and undermined democratic principles and human rights.”
Paul Ibe said that the US statement is a vindication of Atiku’s position that the 2019 elections were “undermined” by the actions of state actors and institutions.
“We also wish to thank the United States of America for standing with the Nigerian people against those whose desire it is to truncate our democracy.
“Finally, we urge the Nigerian people not to despair. There is hope on the horizon. There is light at the end of the tunnel. The myriad of security, economic and social challenges Nigeria currently faces, which has resulted in our nation becoming the world headquarters for extreme poverty will, God wiling, soon be over, with the prospect of purposeful and result oriented leadership.”
