CORRUPTION CHARGE "SHOCKS" GON - MUST GANA GO?

C O N F I D E N T I A L ABUJA 001344 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/18/2012 TAGS: PINS PREL KPAO PHUM PGOV NI SUBJECT: CORRUPTION CHARGE "SHOCKS" GON - MUST GANA GO? CLASSIFIED BY AMBASSADOR HOWARD F. JETER. REASON 1.5(B). ¶1. (U) "Time" magazine recently reported that journalists invited to Abuja to hear Information Minister Jerry Gana lament alleged misrepresentations about Nigeria in foreign media were given envelopes containing 50,000 Naira. "Time" implied that the money (about USD 400) was intended as a bribe to solicit more favorable coverage. ¶2. (U) According to "ThisDay," President Obasanjo was ready to fire Gana, but VP Atiku Abubakar intervened, suggesting an investigation instead. Inquiries by the State Security Service (SSS) and others determined that Gana need not go. The envelopes had contained modest sums clearly intended to defray airfare and lodging for the Lagos-based journalists, according to Justice Minister Godwin Kanu Agabi's report. ¶3. (U) The "Time" story was just another example of how foreign media victimize Nigeria, fumed the GON. Twenty-one of the 24 invited foreign journalists, including CNN's Jeff Koinange, who had been at the center of the original spat, had accepted the money, the GON claimed. Not only that, but paying "honoraria" to journalists invited to cover an event was a common practice -- engaged in by "USIS", among others, the GON claimed. In the future, those who "defame" the GON would be subject to prosecution, Agabi huffed. ¶4. (U) PAO Comment: The claim about "USIS" is entirely inaccurate. PAS never provides honoraria for journalists attending news events. There may have been some confusion with PAS sponsorship of journalists who participate in International Visitor programs. End PAO Comment. ¶5. (U) The GON-owed "Daily Times" April 25 duly noted the GON assertions in its news story but ran an editorial quite critical of its owner. The editorial quoted Gana's terse dismissal of the sum as paltry ("What is $400?") and agreed that the practice of "covering expenses" was common. "But with the government's...avowed war on corruption in the country, it is sickening to note that such practice rather than being discouraged is actively indulged in by its very own officials. Surely, foreign media organizations operating in the country are buoyant enough to cater for all expenses of their staff. For the Information Ministry to offer N50,000 to each journalist for whatever reason raises more questions than answers. ...What could possibly be the ultimate reason other than to compromise him to write favorable reports?" The newspaper then calls on its owner to set an example and halt hand-outs to journalists. -------------- COMMENT -------------- ¶6. (C) Was "Jerry Propagana" guilty of attempted bribery? Probably not. Informed sources tell us that the going rate for local "placement" is 100,000 Naira (about USD 800). The perennial Information Minister is far too experienced to attempt mass-bribery of foreign media representatives at half the rate for renting a local journalist's sympathies. He would take a subtler approach, shelling out more money to a few key people he knows are for sale. Also, paying a journalist's travel and lodging is common practice. While PAS/Nigeria does not defray journalists' travel expenses to attend a press conference, many others with a story to tell do just that -- not only the GON, but also politicians and companies holding their annual meetings. As "Daily Times" suggests, however, the line between defraying travel costs and purchasing influence is difficult to discern. The GON doubtless knows that, hence its self-righteous sputtering. Also, political fixers, such as Works Minister Tony Anenih are widely reputed to cajole with cash, usually capacious "Ghana-Must-Go" bags stuffed with Naira notes. ¶7. (C) The GON is behaving like a habitually naughty child who, this one time, is innocent. With much braying and a bit of foot-stamping, the GON tries to intimidate would-be journalistic whistle-blowers. But the targets seem to be fighting back. BBC ran a story about Agabi's threats on its website, noting that Obasanjo's sensitivity to negative media coverage was costing him opportunities to highlight his Administration's achievements. For most Nigerian journalists, the entire discussion is unwelcome, as it puts a major source of income at risk. But they need not worry; the GON and Nigerian elites are unlikely to discard proven methods during an election year because of a minor scandal in the international press. Buying favorable coverage is part of the political game, and sophisticated Nigerians will continue to play it. JETER