NADECO-USA Calls on Trump to Impose Visa Ban on Nigerian Officials Amid Rivers Crisis
The political storm rocking Rivers State has gone global. On Friday, June 20, 2025, the U.S. chapter of the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO-USA) formally petitioned former U.S. President Donald Trump, calling for visa bans on top Nigerian politicians over what it describes as an illegal emergency rule in Rivers.
In a strongly worded letter, NADECO-USA requested that Trump push the U.S. Department of State to impose immediate travel restrictions on Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas, and Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (Rtd). NADECO-USA also called for a similar action against their immediate family members, claiming they enabled President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to subvert democratic processes.
The Root of the Crisis
On March 18, 2025, President Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers, suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu, and the entire state House of Assembly. NADECO-USA, led by its executive director Lloyd Ukwu, calls this action “unfounded and unconstitutional,” accusing the president of orchestrating what they term a “fraudulent seizure of power.”
The coalition claims that without the backing of the legislative leaders Akpabio and Abbas, Tinubu could never have succeeded. Ukwu noted that these lawmakers enabled the president to bypass democratic procedures and violate the constitution, destabilizing the region.
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Why The Call For U.S. Action
NADECO-USA insists that America must stand up for democratic principles worldwide. According to the letter, this crisis threatens the entire Niger Delta region and sets a dangerous precedent for Nigeria. The coalition wants visa bans to serve as a strong message against democratic backsliding in Africa’s most populous nation.
“It’s crucial for the United States to make it clear that it will not tolerate anti-democratic actions,” Ukwu wrote. “This will reinforce America’s commitment to democracy and the rule of law.”
NADECO-USA also disclosed plans to take the matter up with the U.K. and the European Union, urging those powers to consider similar travel restrictions. The coalition vowed to use every available legal and political avenue to hold these leaders accountable on the international stage.
The State of Emergency and Impact on Democracy
This emergency declaration and its fallout have sent shockwaves across Nigeria’s political landscape. Supporters of the suspended governor argue that President Tinubu’s action threatens constitutional democracy. Critics believe allowing this kind of intervention could destabilize not just Rivers but also the wider Niger Delta.
In an earlier letter to President Tinubu, Bode George, a former deputy chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), condemned the president’s intervention. George urged Tinubu to reinstate Fubara and reflect on the democratic ideals symbolized by the June 12 struggle that ended decades of military rule.
NADECO-USA believes this is a defining moment for Nigeria. The group says America, as a key global partner, must back democratic processes to prevent further escalation. “If we allow this to stand,” Ukwu warned, “it will encourage political impunity across Nigeria and discourage Nigerians who fought hard for democratic governance.”
Will The U.S Respond?
With Rivers still under emergency rule, all eyes are on whether Trump will respond to this plea. Many wonder if the U.S. Department of State will take action before the situation worsens.
Meanwhile, NADECO-USA is calling on the international community to intervene as a way of standing up for the will of the people. The group emphasized that pressure from the U.S., U.K., and EU could prevent a deeper crisis and encourage Nigeria to return to democratic principles.
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