UK authority blasts Nigerian government over visa ban on election riggers

The United Kingdom’s goverment has slammed back at the Federal Government of Nigeria after FG said it would be disrespectful to Nigeria’s sovereignty for UK to issue visa ban on citizens it judged to be riggers of election.

The FG had said Nigeria’s sovereignty will be considered attacked if any outside authority sit in judgment over the conduct of its citizens and apply severe measures like visa restriction, unilaterally.

Reacting to this, British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Catriona Laing, said that the issue of visa restriction on perpetrators of electoral violence was the UK’s visa policy and they determine who travels to the United Kingdom.

While speaking at an orientation programme for people with disability seeking Chevening scholarship opportunities in the United Kingdom, Laing commented: “It is our visa policy, the UK, and we can determine who comes to the UK. So, that is a non-sovereign right.

“And all we are saying is that in line with Nigerian policy, that those who commit violence or who incite violence, there may be an implication for that person when they apply for a visa in the UK.

“So, I think it is actually completely consistent with the Nigerian policy. This is our visa policy, but obviously, it is for Nigeria to determine how they deal with these perpetrators in Nigeria,” Laing said concerning Nigerian government over visa ban on election riggers.