A viral claim on micro-blogging platform Twitter states that the USA government has issued visa restrictions to the presidential candidate of Labour Party, Peter Obi; human rights activist, Aisha Yesufu; popular musician and rights activist, Falz amongst others.
One of those who have shared this claim is a Twitter influencer, Prince Adeshina with the handle @RealAdeshina and his tweet has generated at least, 385 comments, 204 quotes and retweets, and 966 likes. It has also been viewed by 259,500 Twitter users.
VERIFICATION
N-VA extracted the claim, “US Impose Visa Restrictions on Peter Obi, Aisha Yesufu, and Falz.”
A press statement from the U.S. Department of State and U. S. Embassy and Consulate in Nigeria confirms that the world power has imposed visa restrictions on certain individuals
In the statement titled “Taking Steps to Impose Visa Restrictions on Individuals Involved in Undermining the Democratic Process During Nigeria’s 2023 Elections Cycle,” the Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, noted that they have taken steps and imposed visa restrictions on specific individuals in Nigeria for undermining the democratic process during Nigeria’s 2023 elections cycle. The statement also clarified that the actions are specific to certain individuals and are not directed at the Nigerian people or the Government of Nigeria as a whole.
The statement further said that these individuals have been involved in the intimidation of voters through threats and physical violence, the manipulation of vote results, and other activity that undermines Nigeria’s democratic process. However, the names of those affected were not mentioned in the statement and no name has been published by the U.S. Department of State showing the Nigerians that were placed on its visa restrictions.
CONCLUSION
The claim that Peter Obi, Aisha Yesufu, and Falz have been placed on visa restriction by the United States Government is MISLEADING. The United State Government is yet to publish the names of Nigerians placed on visa restriction.
