Visa ban: Despite your sovereignty, we determine who enters our nation, UK replies FG

- The UK has insisted that it retains the right to determine who enters its territory

- The British gave this reply to the federal government on Thursday, September 24

- The Nigerian government had earlier frowned at the UK's visa ban on some politicians, describing it as disrespectful

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Following the federal government's reaction to the visa ban imposed by the United Kingdom on some Nigerians, the British government has issued a response to the West African country..

The Nigerian government had described as disrespectful the UK visa ban placed on some persons said to be undermining democracy by sponsoring electoral violence.

Reacting to this view, the UK, through its high commissioner to Nigeria, Catriona Laing, said that although it respects Nigeria's sovereignty as a nation, it still retains the right to determine who enters its country.

Laing said:

“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 the 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 to 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.

Meanwhile, Legit.ng reported that as a first step to address the recent visa restriction issue, representatives of the governments of Nigeria and the United States of America (USA) were said to be in a closed-door meeting in Abuja.

The meeting was attended by Nigeria's minister of foreign affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, and the US Ambassador to Nigeria, Mary Beth Leonard.

Although nothing official was out as to resolution made at the meeting which was still ongoing at press time, the gathering was expected to afford the federal government the opportunity to brief the US on steps it has taken after the ban.

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Onyeama was expected to brief journalists on his discussion with the US ambassador after the meeting which took place before noon.

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Source: Legit.ng