He Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) has pledged to support expedited visa processing for accredited international observers willing to monitor the upcoming general elections in the country.
A memorandum from the Comptroller General of Migration (CGI), Isah Idris, and obtained by PREMIUM TIMES, ordered the corresponding authorities to quickly process pending visa applications, noting that “the presence and participation of accredited international observers has become a norm established in our national electoral exercises”.
The memorandum, dated February 17 and referenced: NIS/HQ/CGI/149/11/189, was signed by MM Saddiq, Comptroller of the Immigration Service.
Mr. Saddiq is a senior staff member of the Comptroller General of the Service, Mr. Idris.
The memo reads in part: “I am directed to convey the Comptroller General’s approval that all pending visa applications be issued immediately, in the general national interest, except if there is compelling and verifiable reason for local objection.
“In case there are local objections or concerns, these must be immediately communicated to the undersigned via saddiqmm2010@gmail.com for proper evaluation and final determination by the Comptroller General.”
international observers
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has approved and invited some international and foreign organizations for the 2023 elections.
Presidential and National Assembly elections are scheduled for Saturday, February 25.
The electoral management body’s list of accredited observer groups includes the African Union, the Commonwealth, ECOWAS and the European Union.
It also approved 22 foreign organizations including the African Bar Association, All Nigerian Nationals in Diaspora, Americas Empowerment Institute INC, Australian High Commission, British High Commission, Canadian Embassy, Democratic Union of Africa (DUA), Embassy of Antigua and Barbuda, European Union Union, among others.