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