Ondo, Edo election: UK threatens to seize overseas assets of poll offenders

Ondo, Edo election: UK threatens to seize overseas assets of poll offenders

- More troubles await election offenders in Edo and Ondo states

- UK government has threatened to sanction with visa ban those found guilty of electoral malpractices

- In a statement on Tuesday, September 15, the UK government also vowed to seize electoral offenders' overseas assets

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In its effort to help Nigeria get rid of electoral malpractices, government of the United Kingdom has threatened to ban anyone guilty of electoral malpractice in the forthcoming Ondo and Edo governorship elections.

The guber polls in Edo and Ondo state have been scheduled for September 19 and October 10 respectively by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

There is palpable anxiety in the two states over possible election rigging but the UK government, in a statement on Tuesday, September 15, through its embassy in Nigeria said election riggers will face severe punishments.

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Ondo, Edo election: UK threatens to seize overseas assets of poll offenders
UK government has threatened to sanction with visa ban those found guilty of electoral malpractices. Credit: Twitter (UK embassy)
Source: UGC

The UK goverment also threatened to seize overseas assets of people found to have been involved in the election rigging.

The action was taken after the US government announced that it imposed the visa restriction on some people as a warning that the country would never recognise malpractices in Nigeria.

"As a friend and partner of Nigeria we are closely following the lead up to the off-cycle governorship elections in Edo and Ondo states scheduled for September 19 and October 10 respectively.

“We will be deploying observation missions to both the Edo and Ondo elections and supporting civil society led observation.

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

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Meanwhile, Legit.ng reported that PDP praised the United States over the ban and visa restriction on some individuals for their involvement in electoral malpractice.

The opposition party in a statement signed by Kola Ologbondiyan, the national publicity secretary, on Tuesday, September 15, noted that the election riggers undermined Nigeria's democracy and the electoral process.

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Source: Legit.ng

Authors:
Rahaman Abiola avatar

Rahaman Abiola (Editor-in-Chief) Rahaman Abiola is an award-winning journalist and Editor-in-Chief with over 8-year experience. He holds a degree in English & Literature from Obafemi Awolowo University, Nigeria (2015). He's a recipient of the Mile Media Award, Kwame Karikari Fellowship. His works have appeared in Punch, The Nation, Tribune, The Cable, Sahara Reporters and others. rahaman.abiola@corp.legit.ng

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