NIGERIA: STRIKE HAS LIMITED IMPACT DURING FIRST

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ABUJA 000122 SIPDIS SENSITIVE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV ELAB EPET EFIN ECON NI SCOI SUBJECT: NIGERIA: STRIKE HAS LIMITED IMPACT DURING FIRST DAY IN NORTHERN NIGERIA; DETENTION OF NLC PRESIDENT OHSIOMHOLE MAY GALVANIZE STRIKERS REF: A. A) LAGOS 105 ¶B. B) LAGOS 106 ¶1. (U) Summary: As of 1:30 pm Nigeria Time (7:30 am EST),the Nigerian Labour Congress, general strike was most effective in Lagos (Lagos septel). Although showing slightly less than normal activity, Abuja has not been greatly affected by the strike. However, there was substantial compliance in the Northern industrial city of Kaduna and partial observance in the key city of Kano. In Jos, it was business as usual, except for significant absenteeism among civil servants. Reports by government officials, media and local contacts in other northern Nigerian cities indicate little violence thus far as a result of the strike. However, the apparent detention of NLC President Adams Oshiomhole, if it holds, has the potential to raise tempers and will likely be used by strike organizers as a rallying point in their attempts to galvanize support. End Summary -------------- NLC President Detained -------------- ¶2. (SBU) According to a member of the Embassy surveillance detection unit who witnessed the event, NLC President Oshiomhole and two others were detained in front of the Federal Secretariat Complex in Abuja around 11:00 local time. Apparently, Oshiomhole arrived at the Secretariat in a convoy of approximately ten (10) vehicles that blocked the complex,s entrance. As he started to give a speech to a group of federal workers, police arrived and fired tear gas, dispersing the small crowd. Plainclothes security officers then took Oshiomhole, who resisted, and placed him in an unmarked Peugeot vehicle. The vehicle departed the area through the entrance to the Supreme Court, heading in the general direction of Aso Villa. There were no reported injuries at the Federal Secretariat, and activity around the area soon returned to normal. Media reports have as many as 20 other senior labor leaders being arrested, including the Dr. Oyediran, President of the Nigeria,s Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU). We are unable to confirm these reports. ¶3. (SBU) Union officials in Kaduna believe that Oshiomhole will be charged with a crime and held in an attempt to break the strike. Sources at the Presidency say that no official 
comment will come until the conclusion of the weekly Federal Executive Council meeting. Comment: Oshiomhole may have been courting arrest in an effort to galvanize support. The GON had issued stern warnings to civil servants that absence would not be tolerated, so Oshimhole must have known that blocking the main gate to the Federal Secretariat complex would prompt a forceful GON reaction. End comment. -------------- THE STRIKE: A POPULAR ACTION? -------------- ¶4. (SBU) Meeting with PolCouns in Kaduna yesterday, a senior official of the National Union of Textile Workers correctly predicted the strike in Kaduna would be effective. He stated that labor was well organized in the city and that the fuel price hikes had precipitated a substantial increase in consumer prices, particularly for foodstuffs and transportation, that negatively affected everyone. As an example, he emphasized that cab fares in Kaduna had nearly doubled since the announced increased. More resigned than eager to strike, he asserted the NLC would call off the strike if the GON signaled its willingness to negotiate and compromise on the extent and timing of the price hike. He claimed that the NLC could live with an increase implemented in stages. The fuel hike, coupled with the GON,s delay in implementing the pledged 25 percent minimum wage increase last year, had placed the NLC leadership in a difficult position. If the NLC did not take action, the rank and file would accuse the leadership of kowtowing to government, he maintained. ¶5. (SBU) Labor,s participation in the Petroleum Pricing and Regulatory Committee (though they now disassociate themselves from its decisions) and their refusal to adhere to the statutory 21 day cooling-off period have cost them some support. Also important in winning support for the government position is participation by popular Kaduna Governor Muhammad Makarfi and other governors in opposing the strike as "illegal" and a threat to "the survival of democracy, peaceful co-existence and the rule of law." ¶6. (SBU) Since the increased official rates went into effect, Northern consumers have seen black market prices go down to 40 to 50 Naira per liter from the 80 to 90 liter prices before the hike. In many areas of the North, there are virtually no transactions at the official rates. The increase of the official price, increased production from domestic refineries and recently allowed gasoline imports have created considerable downward pressure in the real cost of gasoline for Northern Nigerian motorists. The real popular issue is not the 18 percent increase in the cost of fuel, but the sudden and much sharper opportunistic increase (50 to 100 percent) in food and transportation costs noted above. -------------- City by City Reports -------------- ¶7. (U) In Kaduna, most stores, gas stations, banks and markets were closed although a few stores and markets showed signs of limited activity by the afternoon. While contacts agree there is widespread observance of the strike in Kaduna, compliance in other key northern cities is not quite as high. ¶8. (U) Kano: The North,s largest city, Kano is a busy commercial center and labor unions are active but not as strong as in Kaduna. Incoming traffic was delayed this morning by the presence of bonfires on a few roads leading into the city. However, by mid-day, most markets and stores were open for business. Most gas stations remained closed and noticeably fewer commercial vehicles were seen plying the roads. Overall, the city appeared calm, according to our contacts. Note: Most gas stations in Kano are closed most of the time on normal days; the vast majority of fuel sales take place on the black market. End Note. ¶9. (U) Zaria: In the home of Ahmadu Bello University, which has a history of student activism, some students apparently joined the strikers by starting bonfires and engaging in petty harassment of motorists, but there were no major disruptions. Gas stations were closed and streets less busy than usual. ¶10. (U) Jos: Although many government workers failed to report to work, most banks, stores and market were open. The city appeared calm. ¶11. (U) Maiduguri: This is another fairly active commercial center. Strike observance was substantial, according to local contacts, but no disturbances were reported. Most government offices and shops were closed. Vehicular traffic was much less than normal. ¶12. (U) Sokoto: This city, the administrative center for the northwest corner of the country and the seat of the traditional Sultanate, experienced limited observance of the strike with most markets, stores and facilities open. ¶13. (U) American Citizens: Embassy thus far has no reports of any significant negative effects on American citizens residing in Northern and Middle Belt States. We assume minor inconveniences affect them as much as they affect Nigerians. ¶14. (SBU) Mission travelers: Two Mission AmCits (one USDH and one USPSC) have been asked to remain in Kano for another night in order not to have to pass through Kaduna at this time. International flights are reportedly operating normally. As a precautionary measure, Embassy will use a two-vehicle convoy to support in-bound and out-bound visitors tonight. Jeter