The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says the identity of Nigerian politicians barred from entering the United States of America, over their conduct during elections, are currently unknown.
The foreign country had yesterday banned politicians it adjudged to have undermined democracy during the governorship elections of Kogi and Bayelsa State last year, from the visiting the country.
This is the second time the sovereign nation is taking such actions and have vowed to include more after the forthcoming gubernatorial elections in Edo and Ondo states.
After the 2019 general elections, the US barred some unnamed politicians from visiting the foreign country. Nasir El-rufai, Kaduna State governor, was rumored to be on the list over his threat to foreign observers that they will be deported to their various countries in body bags should they interface in the exercise.
Speaking on the matter, Rotimi Oyekanmi, the chief press secretary of the electoral body said it does not have the list containing names of those who have been sanctioned.
Mr Oyekanmi said constitutionally, the duties of the commission, is to oversee elections and not the go after election riggers.
“INEC doesn’t keep a list of election riggers. Our conducts are guided by laws contained in the Nigerian Constitution, which primarily allows us to oversee elections,” the International Centre for Investigative Reporting quoted him as saying.
Meanwhile, Sahara Reporters, an online news portal, is reporting that Adams Oshiomhole, former Edo State governor and erstwhile national chairman of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Umar Ganduje, Kano State governor and his Kogi State counterpart, Yahaya Bello are among those recently sanctioned.
That of Mr El-rufai, the news medium reported, has been extended.
