The National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) USA has petitioned U.S. President Donald Trump, requesting visa bans on Nigerian Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas, and Rivers State Sole Administrator Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (Rtd).
The letter, signed by NADECO-USA Executive Director Lloyd Ukwu, was made public on June 20, 2025, and cites their alleged roles in an “unconstitutional” state of emergency declared in Rivers State by President Bola Tinubu on March 18, 2025.
NADECO claims Tinubu’s declaration, which suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy Dr. Ngozi Odu, and the state House of Assembly, violated Nigeria’s constitution and democratic principles.
They argue that Akpabio and Abbas enabled this through their support in the National Assembly, while Ibas’ appointment as sole administrator further undermines the will of Rivers State voters.
The group views the visa ban as a proportionate response to these actions, which they say threaten Nigeria’s democracy and risk destabilizing the Niger Delta region.
The letter urges the U.S. to impose visa restrictions on Akpabio, Abbas, Ibas, and their families, emphasizing America’s role as a global defender of democracy.
NADECO also plans to pursue similar sanctions from the UK and EU and will use legal and political avenues to hold the trio accountable.
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