Determine to ensure a tension-free 2019 elections, the Federal Government has warned foreign nationals not accredited to monitor the 2019 elections, to stay away from polling booths and other electoral processes.
This was even as the government has threatened to charge and deport foreigners, who decide to go against this order.
Comptroller General of Nigeria Immigration Service, Muhammad Babandede, gave the warning in behalf of the Federal Government on Thursday at the headquarters of the service in Abuja, at a briefing that had Command Comptrollers and Zonal Coordinators in attendance. Babandede maintained that foreign nationals, who obtained visas for business concerns and tourism, will not be allowed to act as election observers.
He said: “A lot of foreigners will be coming into the country as monitors we want genuine monitors. We don’t want anybody who will come and create tension and crisis in our community.
“So, any non- Nigerian coming in, we must know the purpose of coming .If you get a visa to come to Nigeria to do business, to do tourism, or to participate in something else other than monitoring election and we found you monitoring election, we will charge you and deport you
because that is not what you asked for.”
This was as he disclosed that: “Ministry of foreign affairs is taking care of the accreditation of the election monitors so if you are a monitor participating in election you should declare it right from the beginning .we don’t want people to do counter sign operation in the name of election.
“It is not allowed in our country. If you come into the country for a purpose you must remain for that purpose. If you are coming to work, work. if you are coming for tourist don’t use the opportunity to participate in election in any way”.
Meanwhile, the CG has disclosed that a total of N2. 6 billion will be spent during the February 16, and March 2 elections respectively. According to the CG, the cash will cover allowance, fuelling of vehicles for round-the-clock patrols among other demands.
“N2.6bn for immigration. Everybody will be paid his /her allowance. We will fuel our vehicles.
“We will patrol, provide identities for election, so that any officer, who decide to participate in election and doesn’t have the identity, he/ she will be in trouble.
“We will provide food for officers so that they don’t have to leave their duty posts and all this things will be made available”, the NIS’ chief said.
Stella Enenche, Abuja
