BAYELSA DEPUTY SWORN IN AS NEW GOVERNOR

C O N F I D E N T I A L LAGOS 001898

SIPDIS

STATE FOR AF/W
STATE FOR INR/AA

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/12/2015
TAGS: PREL PGOV NI
SUBJECT: BAYELSA DEPUTY SWORN IN AS NEW GOVERNOR


Classified By: Consul General Brian L. Browne for Reason 1.4 (D)


1. (U) Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, Deputy Governor of Bayelsa
State under Governor Alamieyeseigha and acting Governor since
Alamieyeseigha's impeachment, was sworn in as Bayelsa
Governor on December 12. Jonathan will complete the
remaining fifteen months of the current term.


2. (U) The new Governor praised the Assembly and Federal
Government for maintaining security without declaring a state
of emergency, a reference to the deployment of troops as
tensions heightened immediately following Alamieyeseigha's
return. Jonathan also described the saga of Alamieyeseigha's
arrest, flight from the UK, and impeachment as a test of the
integrity of the people of Bayelsa State and the entire Ijaw
nation.


3. (C) Comment: During the nearly three months of the
Alamieyeseigha saga, Jonathan walked a tightrope. He could
not boldly seek to replace the former governor, for risk of
being attacked by Alamieyeseigha's supporters. However, he
also had to appear responsive when the federal government
pushed for Alamieyeseigha's quick ouster lest Jonathan incur
Abuja's ire. There were some moments when Jonathan appeared
to be confused, between and betwixt. In the end, all he had
to do was bide his time and hide behind the federal
coattails, since President Obasanjo was bent on
Alamieyeseigha's impeachment. At that point, pressure
shifted from Jonathan to the State Assembly. Now Jonathan
reaps the benefit. However, his honeymoon will be
short-lived. Already, those who want to govern Bayelsa in
2007 are seeking how to make sure Jonathan cannot use his
abbreviated tenure to secure a political base that would make
him the PDP gubernatorial nominee in 2007. End comment.
BROWNE