The National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), a prominent political advocacy group, has sent a formal letter to former U.S. President Donald Trump, urging him to place a visa restriction on Senate President Godswill Akpabio, House Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, and Rivers State’s Sole Administrator, Retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas.
The official letter—addressed directly to Trump at the White House—was obtained by LMSINT MEDIA and signed by Lloyd Ukwu, the Executive Director of NADECO-USA.
According to Ukwu, the visa restriction is a fitting response to what the group described as the trio’s deep involvement in anti-democratic activities related to the political situation in Rivers State.
“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,” the letter begins.
The statement referenced the events of March 18, 2025, when Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu declared a controversial and allegedly unconstitutional state of emergency in Rivers State. The declaration allegedly allowed President Tinubu to unilaterally suspend the sitting Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy Dr. Ngozi Odu, and the Rivers House of Assembly.
Subsequently, President Tinubu appointed Retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas as the state’s Sole Administrator—an action NADECO decries as a violation of both the Nigerian Constitution and international democratic standards.
NADECO further pointed out that such presidential actions could not have been executed without the direct support of Senate President Akpabio and House Speaker Abbas, suggesting complicity from the National Assembly’s leadership.
“This action not only undermines Nigeria’s democratic institutions but blatantly disregards the will of Rivers State citizens, who democratically elected their leaders,” the letter noted.
Asserting that the United States has long stood as a global protector of democracy, NADECO called on Trump to instruct the U.S. Department of State to enforce a visa ban not just on Akpabio, Abbas, and Ibas, but also on their immediate families.
“This measure would send a strong signal in defense of democracy and the rule of law in Nigeria,” NADECO argued, stating that such sanctions would show the United States’ continued support for democratic principles.
Furthermore, NADECO-USA revealed plans to push for similar visa restrictions in the United Kingdom and the European Union, targeting the same individuals and their families.
“Beyond this, NADECO USA will explore all legal and political options—both within and outside the U.S.—to hold the individuals accountable for their efforts to sabotage Nigeria’s fragile democracy and destabilize the entire Niger Delta region,” the statement continued.
The letter concluded by appealing to President Trump to uphold democratic values through diplomatic pressure, encouraging active support from the U.S. Department of State and the Embassy in Abuja.
This appeal follows President Tinubu’s emergency rule declaration in Rivers State on March 18, 2025, where he ordered the suspension of elected officials, including Governor Fubara. Shortly afterward, Ibas presented a N1.48 trillion budget to the Senate Committee, claiming it anticipated Fubara’s eventual return to office.
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