NIGERIA: ANPP CHAIRMAN SAYS PARTY WILL SEEK

C O N F I D E N T I A L ABUJA 000805 SIPDIS LONDON FOR C. GURNEY CAIRO FOR POL - MAXSTADT E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/30/2013 TAGS: PGOV PREL KDEM NI SUBJECT: NIGERIA: ANPP CHAIRMAN SAYS PARTY WILL SEEK REDRESS THROUGH TRIBUNALS CLASSIFIED BY AMBASSADOR HOWARD F. JETER. REASONS 1.5 (B) AND (D). ¶1. (C) During an April 30 meeting with DCM, All Nigerian People's Party (ANPP) Chairman Chief Don Etiebet expressed anger with ruling People's Democratic Party (PDP) manipulation of the recent Presidential, Gubernatorial and National Assembly elections. Citing numerous examples of PDP misconduct, Etiebet said the recent elections did not reflect the will of the people. Etiebet warned that while Nigerians now only feel despair, that despair might turn to anger should the electoral flaws not be redressed. ¶2. (C) Despite talk of "mass action" by some ANPP members, including Presidential candidate Buhari, Etiebet said the electoral tribunals would be his party's venue of choice for airing grievances and that the ANPP would abide by tribunal decisions. While not optimistic, Etiebet hoped the tribunals would reject elections in the areas of the worst misconduct. He also hoped that focusing attention on the problems with these elections would avert similar difficulties in the upcoming State Assembly and Local Government elections. Again, though not optimistic, Etiebet expressed hope that vigorous investigation and assessment of April's election would pave the way for freer and fairer elections in 2007. JETER