NIGERIA: BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES OF MEMBERS OF THE

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ABUJA 001329

SIPDIS


E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/03/2013
TAGS: PINR PGOV PREL KDEM NI
SUBJECT: NIGERIA: BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES OF MEMBERS OF THE
NEW CABINET PART 1

CLASSIFIED BY CHARGE DAWN M. LIBERI; REASON: 1.5 (B) and (D).



1. (C) On 18 July, President Obasanjo swore in 38 of 40 new
Ministers and deputies and confirmed their various
portfolios. In a novel twist, Obasanjo had forwarded the
roster to the National Assembly without matching the
prospective Ministers to any portfolios. He only designated
the portfolios after the nominees had been confirmed. The
Assembly approved all but one candidate, while Obasanjo
removed another from consideration. Below are biographical
sketches of 11 ministers. Bios on the remainder will be
transmitted septel. Additionally, analysis of the selections
and of the unorthodox nomination process will also be treated
septel.



2. (C) Ministry of Internal Affairs - Minister, Dr. Iyorchia
Ayu, was the former Minister of Industry (1999-2000),as well
as a former Minister of Education (1993-1995). Ayu was
elected Senator in 1992 and was the Senate President until
November 1993 when impeached by pro-Interim National
Government Senators led by Chuba Okadigbo (most recently
Buhari,s ANPP running mate). He was a member of the
now-defunct Social Democratic Party. Prior to his political
roles, Ayu was a sociology professor for 24 years and an
editor at the Daily Times of Nigeria for 2 years. Ayu is in
his mid-fifties and was influential in the PDP,s victories
in Benue State in the April elections. He is the nominee of
PDP Chairman Audu Ogbeh and Benue State Governor DAVID Akume.
Minister of State Abubakar Tanko was the Director of Yankari
National Park in Bauchi State, and is a longtime stalwart in
the PDP in Niger State.



3. (C) Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Minister Olu Adeniji was
Ambassador to France (1987),Switzerland (1977-1981) and
Australia (1976-1977),UN Special Representative and Head of
the UN Mission to Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL),and Special
Representative for the UN Mission in the Central African
Republic (MINURCA). He has also served in the Nigerian
Embassies in Washington, Freetown, Sierra Leone, and Accra.
He was a career diplomat for 31 years, retiring in 1992 after
serving as the Director-General of the MFA. He is 69. He is
from Ogun State and has a close relationship with Obasanjo.
Minister of State Saidu Balarabe Sambawa is a Hausa/Fulani
from Kebbi who was a failed PDP candidate for Governor in the
April elections. He is a former banker and farmer and is
known as a grassroots politician in the state. He has raised
cash and food crops, along with ostrich farming, and has
worked in the banking industry for many years, rising to the
post of Deputy Director of Inland Bank (where he is a major
shareholder). He is in his forties.



4. (C) Ministry of Justice - Minister and Attorney General
Chief Akinlolu Olujinmi is a practicing Senior Advocate of
Nigeria (the highest professional ranking for an attorney)
and is well known within the PDP of Oyo State. He is a
Yoruba who has held no previous political office.



5. (C) Ministry of Information - Minister Chukweumeka Chikelu
was a Representative from Anambra State in the National
Assembly who was reelected in April. In the House he headed
the Committee on Cooperation and Integration. He is an Igbo
in his mid-thirties and his father was a Minister of
Management Services under General Ibrahim Babangida,s regime.



6. (C) Ministry of Women and Youth Affairs - Minister Rita
Akpan was the Secretary to Akwa-Ibom Governor Victor Attah.
She is a single mother. Minister of State Princess Funke
Adedoyin is the daughter of Kwara State business mogul Chief
Samuel Adedoyin. She has held no office, but has very close
personal ties to the Sarakis of Kwara State and Vice
President Atiku. (NOTE: There are widespread rumors of an
actual affair between Adedoyin and the Vice President. This
nomination is compensation from Governor Bukola Saraki for
not being chosen as his Deputy. END NOTE)



7. (C) Ministry of Defense - Minister Dr. Rabiu Musa
Kwankwaso is the former governor of Kano who lost in April.
In his mid-forties, Kwankwaso,s experience is in water
resources, having worked in the sector for 17 years. He
started in politics as a State Representative in 1992, and
was a delegate to the 1994-1995 Constitutional Conference.
He was a member of the now-defunct Social Democratic Party.
Following Abacha,s death, he joined the PDP and won the
party,s nomination for governor over a former supervisor.
Kwankwaso has no known background in military affairs but is
regarded by President Obasanjo as a capable administrator who
will help him control the Ministry. Obasanjo probably wanted
to give this relatively young, strong political ally a
prominent position so that he can remain in the public eye.
Minister of State Dr. Rowland Oritsejafor, an Itsekiri, was
the Deputy National Secretary of the PDP. He is a medical
doctor and has close ties with Delta State Governor Ibori.
Also with no background in military affairs, his nomination
appears to be more a political than substantive consideration.

8. (C) Ministry of Intergovernmental and Special Duties -
Minister Frank Nweke was Chief of Staff to Enugu Governor Dr.
Nnamani. His father is a prominent businessman in the North.
Nweke has a degree in Public Administration and at 34 is the
youngest person in the cabinet. His nomination is solely on
the recommendation of Governor Nnamani.



9. (C) Ministry of Cooperation and Integration - Minister
Lawan Gana Guba was a Senator from Yobe State.



10. (C) Ministry of Police Affairs - Minister Broderick
Bozimo, an Ijaw, was a lawyer and politician in Delta State.
He and his wife are very close to Governor James Ibori and
his wife was recently named Chief Judge of the state. He is
a prominent Ijaw personality and his law firm is based in
Warri.



11. (C) Ministry of the Federal Capital Territory - Minister
Ahmad Nasir El-Rufai was the Secretary of the National
Council on Privatization and the Director-General of the
Bureau for Public Enterprises (BPE) from 1999 to 2003.
El-Rufai is from Kaduna and is in his mid-forties. He
attended Harvard Business School. He has worked in various
fields in the private sector, mainly in surveying, and his
first public sector experience was with a think tank in the
Presidency, the Program Implementation Monitoring Committee
(1998-1999). He is considered to be one of Nigeria,s ablest
technocrats.



12. (C) Ministry of Sports - The new Minister is Colonel Musa
Mohammed of Gombe State.
LIBERI