The United Kingdom says it respects the sovereignty of
Nigeria, but also reserves the right to determine who gets a visa.
Catriona Laing, British high commissioner to Nigeria, said
this on Thursday at an orientation programme for people with disability seeking
Chevening scholarship opportunities in the UK.
The UK had threatened to impose visa ban — among other
sanctions — on persons guilty of electoral violence in Nigeria.
In reaction, the federal government had said the visa ban
was disrespectful to Nigeria’s sovereignty.
According to NAN, Laing said the UK welcomed the fact that
the Nigerian government was following up on electoral malpractices, and
commended the peaceful conduct of the September 19 election in Edo.
She explained that the issue of visa restriction on
perpetrators of electoral violence was the UK’s policy.
“It is our visa policy, the UK, and we can determine who
comes to the UK. So, that is a non-sovereign right,” she said.
“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.”
Speaking on if the UK would heed the Nigerian government’s
response and drop such plans of imposing a visa ban on electoral offenders,
Laing said she was surprised at the reaction.
She said prior to the 2019 general election, the federal
government welcomed its policy.
On the award of Chevening scholarship to Nigerians, Laing
said thousands of persons in the country had benefitted from the programme over
the years.
“The programme has been running for a long time, and in this
year, we are sending 49,’’ Laing added.
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You are just visiting madam, Nigeria has no business with who does what in the UK so in turn; respectfully mind what concerns you.
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