Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
02ABUJA2166
2002-07-23 14:14:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Abuja
Cable title:  

NIGERIA: NDP OFFICIAL SUPPORTS BABANGIDA FOR

Tags:  PREL PGOV KDEM NI 
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This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ABUJA 002166 

SIPDIS


E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/23/2007
TAGS: PREL PGOV KDEM NI
SUBJECT: NIGERIA: NDP OFFICIAL SUPPORTS BABANGIDA FOR
PRESIDENT

CLASSIFIED BY AMBASSADOR HOWARD F. JETER. REASON 1.5 (B) and
(D).


C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ABUJA 002166

SIPDIS


E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/23/2007
TAGS: PREL PGOV KDEM NI
SUBJECT: NIGERIA: NDP OFFICIAL SUPPORTS BABANGIDA FOR
PRESIDENT

CLASSIFIED BY AMBASSADOR HOWARD F. JETER. REASON 1.5 (B) and
(D).



1. (C) Summary. Architect Baba Isimi, Director General of the
National Secretariat of the newly registered NDP July 1 told
Poloff that the NDP would nominate IBB as Presidential
candidate if given the option. According to Isimi, the NDP
considers itself a centrist party, touting a new generation
of politicians who represent ideology over personality. Isimi
failed to see the inconsistency between this avowal and his
support for the Faustian Babangida. Claiming the need for
more time to prepare, the party will canvas to postpone local
government elections until December 2002. End Summary.


--------------
Party Background and Philosophy
--------------



2. (C) The National Democratic Party (NDP) was one of three
new political parties to be registered in Nigeria June 22
(septel). Poloff met Isimi, of the National Democratic
Party, July 1 in order to learn about the new party. Isimi
explained the NDP was borne out of dissatisfaction with the
People's Democratic Party (PDP) and particularly President
Obasanjo. According to Isimi, Obasanjo was not part of the
original PDP. Rather, when he was freed from prison a deal
was cut to impose Obasanjo on the party. (Note: What Isimi
forgot to add was that Babangida was an important architect
of that deal. End Note). Out of the disgruntled PDP
membership emerged first the Arewa Frontiers, which became
the National Frontiers. The National Frontiers then split
into the NDP and the UNDP (now the UNPP). The NDP considers
itself a moderate party, open to dialogue with all regions of
Nigeria.



3. (U) Asked what the NDP had to offer as an opposition
party, Isimi replied that the party has a strong ideological
base rather than one based on personalities. He believes
that Nigeria should realize that it needs help and should
find a "national mentor" to emulate. (Note: In subsequent
conversation it was clearer that he thinks Nigeria should
find a rich uncle. End Note) Isimi described himself and his
party as the new generation of Nigerian politicians, who have
spent their entire lives in the post-colonial era.


--------------
Candidates
--------------



4. (C) When asked about the differences between the NDP and
the United Nigerian People's Party (UNPP),Isimi stated the
UNPP wants IBB as their candidate. The NDP, on the other
hand, is sympathetic toward IBB and believes it has his
goodwill, but reiterated that the NDP is a party of ideals
rather than personalities. He continued by stating that if
IBB chose the NDP, the NDP would accept him as its candidate.
He believes that IBB will emerge as the consensus candidate
of the North and that he has the political savvy to win the
election and lead the country. Isimi also believes that
IBB's main priority is not to become President, but to remove
Obasanjo from Aso Rock; contesting his run for a second term
may be the only way to accomplish this.



5. (C) On other candidates Isimi considers Vice-President
Abubakar worse than President Obasanjo, and declared Anyim
was too "stupid" to become President. He believes a Buhari
candidacy is also destined to fail. In order to get the ANPP
nomination, Buhari needs to have an ally capture the ANPP
chairmanship, which he thinks unlikely. In some quarters
Buhari has a reputation for being against corruption;
however, there are many who haven't forgotten that they
suffered from Buhari's fight against corruption and still
bear a grudge.


--------------
Comment
--------------



6. (C) The rhetoric of the NDP is, to put it charitably,
interesting and a bit confusing. Perhaps most honestly put,
it is simply pragmatic. Isimi is articulate, intelligent and
excited to be among the members of a new party that will
contest in the 2003 elections. However, his attempt to paint
himself and his party as a fresh start fell flat. While
disavowing the politics of personality and exalting ideology,
on the one hand, he openly tugged at Babangida's coattails
with the other. Isimi seemed unaware of the contradiction
presented by touting IBB as the NDP's preferred candidate.
Likewise, he didn't appear to appreciate the irony when he
talked about the NDP's plans for a convention. He stated that
there would be no convention for three years, because "you
can see from the other parties, what a destabilizing effect
intra-party elections have."




JETER