- NADECO Urges Trump to extend Ban to families
By Kolawole Ojebisi
A prominent pro-democracy organization, the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), has written a letter to the President of the United States of America, Donald Trump, demanding a visa ban on the trio of the Nigerian Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, and the appointed Rivers State Sole Administrator, Retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas.
The letter, directly addressed to the President at the White House, was made available to newsmen on Friday morning, bears the signature of Lloyd Ukwu, the Executive Director of NADECO-USA.
NADEO rode to prominence on the back of its struggle for restoration of democracy during the dark years of military dictatorship in Nigeria
In the letter, the NADECO described ongoing political developments in Rivers as “a pressing matter of grave concern” signalling “the erosion of democratic principles in Nigeria”.
According to Lloyd Ukwu, the visa ban would be a proportionate response to the serious involvement of Senator Akpabio, Mr. Abbas, and Mr. Ibas in the prevailing “undemocratic act” in the oil-rich state.
The letter read in part, “The National Democratic Coalition (NADECO USA) wishes to bring to your attention a pressing matter of grave concern regarding the erosion of democratic principles in Nigeria.
“On March 18, 2025, President Bola Tinubu declared an unfounded and unconstitutional state of emergency in Rivers State. He used this declaration to fraudulently grant himself extraordinary powers, as outlined in the Nigerian Constitution, allowing him to suspend the democratically elected Governor of Rivers State, Mr. Sim Fubara; his deputy, Dr. Ngozi Odu; and the members of the state’s House of Assembly. He subsequently appointed Retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas as the Administrator of Rivers State, an act that violates both the Nigerian Constitution and internationally recognised democratic principles.
“It is crucial to note that the President’s illegal actions could not have succeeded without the support of the Senate, led by Senate President Senator Godswill Akpabio, as well as the current Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr. Tajudeen Abbas.
“This action not only undermines the democratic foundations of Nigeria but also disregards the will of the people of Rivers State, who elected their governor through a lawful democratic process. As a global champion of democracy, the United States has a vested interest in promoting and protecting democratic values worldwide.
“In light of this, I respectfully request that the President direct the United States Department of State to impose a visa ban on Senate President Senator Godswill Akpabio and his family, Speaker of the House of Representatives Mr. Tajudeen Abbas and his family, and the illegal Administrator, Mr. Ibas, along with his entire family. This measure would serve as a strong statement in support of democracy and the rule of law in Nigeria, reinforcing the United States’ commitment to these fundamental principles.
“By taking this action, the United States would send a clear message that it will not tolerate actions that undermine democracy and the will of the people. I believe this measure would be a proportionate response to the serious involvement of Senator Akpabio, Mr. Abbas, and Mr. Ibas in this undemocratic act.”
NADECO-USA’s letter also revealed that the organisation was making efforts to consider a similar visa ban request for Senator Akpabio and his family, Mr. Abbas and his family, and Mr. Ibas and his family from the United Kingdom (UK) and the European Union (EU).
“In addition to the actions mentioned above, NADECO USA will utilise all available legal and political avenues, both domestically and internationally, to ensure that Senator Akpabio, Mr. Abbas, Mr. Ibas, and their associates are held accountable for their harmful efforts to undermine Nigeria’s emerging democracy and destabilise not only Rivers State but the entire Niger Delta region.
“NADECO USA would appreciate your consideration of this request and your subsequent action. I am confident that you, as the President of the United States, through the Department of State and your Embassy in Abuja, will continue to promote and support democratic values in Nigeria,” the letter reads.
This letter comes months after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on March 18, 2025, declared emergency rule in Rivers and suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara and other elected officials.
Tinubu took the decisions after months of supremacy battle between Fubara and his predecessor and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
The rift between the suspended governor and his erstwhile political godfather polarised politicians in the state and resulted in political unrest in the oil-rich state.
