Politics

Edo/Ondo Election: UK Threatens To Blacklist, Seize Asset Of Election Riggers

The United Kingdom has rolled out a number of sanctions it would impose on anyone who stokes violence during the governorship polls in Edo and Ondo states.

The British High Commission in Nigeria stated in a Tuesday release posted on Twitter that the sanctions could include visa ban, seizure of UK-based assets or prosecution under international law just as it did after the 2019 elections.

British High Commissioner to Nigeria Catriona Laing stated this on the sidelines of the peace accord signed by the governorship candidates in the state.

“The UK takes a strong stand against election-related violence and just as we did in the general election in 2019, we will continue to take action against individuals we identify as being responsible for violence during elections.

“This could include restrictions on their eligibility to travel to the UK, restrictions on access to UK-based assets or prosecution under international law,” the statement read.

The commission said its observer missions would be deployed to both Edo and Ondo polls while supporting civil society-led observation.

The UK’s warning follows the United States-imposed visa restrictions on politicians who masterminded violence and rigging of the governorship elections in Kogi and Bayelsa states.