By Kamal Yalwa, June 21, 2025
The United States chapter of the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO-USA) has called on U.S. President Donald Trump to impose a visa ban on Nigeria’s Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas, and the Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Ibok-Ete Ibas.
The group made the appeal in a letter signed by its Executive Director, Lloyd Ukwu, accusing the three of playing pivotal roles in what it described as the “subversion of democracy” in Rivers State.
According to NADECO-USA, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu orchestrated an unconstitutional “state of emergency” in Rivers on March 18, 2025, which led to the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu, and members of the State House of Assembly.
Ukwu alleged that the move was a deliberate attempt to undermine democratic institutions and consolidate power. He said the subsequent appointment of Ibas as Sole Administrator of Rivers State was not only unconstitutional but a flagrant violation of both Nigerian law and international democratic norms.
“It is crucial to note that the president’s illegal actions could not have succeeded without the support of the Senate, led by Senator Godswill Akpabio, as well as the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr. Tajudeen Abbas,” Ukwu stated in the letter.
The group urged the U.S. State Department to immediately impose visa restrictions on the trio and their immediate families, saying the action would reinforce the U.S.’s commitment to democracy and send a strong message against anti-democratic practices.
NADECO-USA also disclosed plans to petition the United Kingdom and the European Union for similar sanctions, pledging to pursue legal and diplomatic efforts to hold those responsible accountable.
“We are determined to ensure that those attempting to destabilise Nigeria’s democracy and the peace of the Niger Delta region are held responsible,” Ukwu said.
The group expressed confidence that the international community, especially the United States, would act in defence of democratic values in Nigeria.
![Five Key Takeaways from Trump-Starmer Meeting in the UK Aylesbury, UK – September 18, 2025 — U.S. President Donald Trump and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer presented a united front on major global issues during a joint press conference at Chequers, wrapping up Trump’s three-day visit to the United Kingdom. Despite recent tensions between Washington and European allies, the meeting underscored strong transatlantic ties as the two leaders discussed Ukraine, NATO, Gaza, Afghanistan, and more. 1. Trump Says Putin ‘Let Him Down’ Over Ukraine President Trump expressed frustration with Russian President Vladimir Putin over the prolonged war in Ukraine, admitting he underestimated the challenge of resolving the conflict. “I thought it would be easiest because of my relationship with President Putin, but he’s let me down,” Trump said. PM Starmer reiterated the UK’s commitment to supporting Ukraine, vowing to increase pressure on Russia and push for a lasting peace deal. 2. Divergence on Gaza, But Unity Against Hamas While both leaders condemned Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attack on Israel, they differed on the broader approach to the Gaza conflict. Trump avoided criticizing Israel’s ongoing military campaign, which has killed over 65,000 Palestinians, calling October 7 “one of the worst days in the history of humanity.” Starmer's previous pledge to recognize a Palestinian state was noted as a “point of disagreement,” but Trump praised the UK leader’s strong stance against Hamas. 3. Trump Praises NATO and Increased Defense Spending Once a vocal NATO critic, Trump struck a different tone, applauding the alliance’s commitment to boost defense spending. “I want to thank NATO and our wonderful head of NATO, Mark [Rutte]… They’ve done a great job,” he said, highlighting a new pledge for members to spend 5% of GDP on defense. Trump emphasized U.S. support in supplying weapons to NATO allies, stressing that the alliance was now “paying its fair share.” 4. Bagram Airbase Back in Focus Trump hinted at possible negotiations with the Taliban for the U.S. to regain access to the Bagram airbase in Afghanistan, which was vacated in 2021 during the Biden administration’s withdrawal. “We’re trying to get it back,” Trump said, citing its strategic location near China’s nuclear facilities. The Taliban, however, quickly dismissed the proposal, stating they welcome engagement with the U.S. but will not allow any foreign military presence. 5. Trump Weighs in on Kimmel Firing Trump also addressed the firing of late-night host Jimmy Kimmel by ABC, following political controversy over remarks involving conservative commentator Charlie Kirk. “Jimmy Kimmel was fired because he had bad ratings… He’s not a talented person,” Trump said, dismissing concerns about free speech and framing the firing as a business decision. Conclusion: The Trump-Starmer meeting reflected a broad effort to reinforce U.S.-UK ties amid ongoing global crises. While areas of disagreement remain, particularly on Middle East policy, both leaders signaled alignment on Ukraine, NATO, and global security cooperation.](https://trendbrio.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/USA-TRUMP-BRITAIN-AND-KEIR-STARMER.webp)