Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06ABUJA2423
2006-09-14 15:55:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Abuja
Cable title:
A YORUBA PLOT TO CONTROL NIGERIA'S ECONOMY?
how-toVZCZCXRO3487 PP RUEHPA DE RUEHUJA #2423 2571555 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 141555Z SEP 06 FM AMEMBASSY ABUJA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 7130 INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC RUEKDIA/DIA WASHDC RHMFISS/HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE RHCKJAC/JAC MOLESWORTH JCDX RAF MOLESWORTH UK
C O N F I D E N T I A L ABUJA 002423
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/10/2016
TAGS: PGOV ECON NI
SUBJECT: A YORUBA PLOT TO CONTROL NIGERIA'S ECONOMY?
REF: ABUJA 2335
Classified By: Ambassador John Campbell for Reasons 1.4 (b and d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L ABUJA 002423
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/10/2016
TAGS: PGOV ECON NI
SUBJECT: A YORUBA PLOT TO CONTROL NIGERIA'S ECONOMY?
REF: ABUJA 2335
Classified By: Ambassador John Campbell for Reasons 1.4 (b and d)
1. (C) Chief David Serena-Dokubo Spiff, an attorney for the
Halliburton subsidiary contracted for the Bonny Island LNG
project (ref A),requested a meeting with Ambassador to
discuss Bonny issues and the Delta situation in general.
After discussing the legal and community issues that had
forced a Halliburton subsidiary to suspend work on a Bonny
Island project, Spiff turned to the general situation in the
Niger Delta. He expressed little optimism that things would
improve soon.
2. (C) Spiff said that much of the problem is the result of
a "Yoruba plot." He echoed the longstanding complaints that
the Yorubas (from the southwest of Nigeria) control most of
the oil industry and much of Nigeria's economy. Spiff
blamed the Yoruba for scuttling an attempt to require more
local content in oil services, a plan that should have put
more business into the Niger delta and its indigenes. He
also noted that while indigenes "know that the Yorubas are
behind this," the international companies are much more
visible and provide the rallying point for the wide range of
complaints from the region.
3. (C) Spiff said the USG is seen as ignoring the problems
instead of being a "reliable proponent of democracy." Spiff
said that Rivers State Governor Peter Odili "could perhaps
resolve some of the issues" in the delta. However, he
continued, solving the problems would "impact negatively" on
Odili's presidential ambitions.
4. (C) COMMENT: Spiff's analysis of the situation tracks
with the general comments floating around the area for many
years, particularly the accusations against the Yoruba tribe.
The difference appears to be that the complaints are
becoming much more public.
CAMPBELL
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/10/2016
TAGS: PGOV ECON NI
SUBJECT: A YORUBA PLOT TO CONTROL NIGERIA'S ECONOMY?
REF: ABUJA 2335
Classified By: Ambassador John Campbell for Reasons 1.4 (b and d)
1. (C) Chief David Serena-Dokubo Spiff, an attorney for the
Halliburton subsidiary contracted for the Bonny Island LNG
project (ref A),requested a meeting with Ambassador to
discuss Bonny issues and the Delta situation in general.
After discussing the legal and community issues that had
forced a Halliburton subsidiary to suspend work on a Bonny
Island project, Spiff turned to the general situation in the
Niger Delta. He expressed little optimism that things would
improve soon.
2. (C) Spiff said that much of the problem is the result of
a "Yoruba plot." He echoed the longstanding complaints that
the Yorubas (from the southwest of Nigeria) control most of
the oil industry and much of Nigeria's economy. Spiff
blamed the Yoruba for scuttling an attempt to require more
local content in oil services, a plan that should have put
more business into the Niger delta and its indigenes. He
also noted that while indigenes "know that the Yorubas are
behind this," the international companies are much more
visible and provide the rallying point for the wide range of
complaints from the region.
3. (C) Spiff said the USG is seen as ignoring the problems
instead of being a "reliable proponent of democracy." Spiff
said that Rivers State Governor Peter Odili "could perhaps
resolve some of the issues" in the delta. However, he
continued, solving the problems would "impact negatively" on
Odili's presidential ambitions.
4. (C) COMMENT: Spiff's analysis of the situation tracks
with the general comments floating around the area for many
years, particularly the accusations against the Yoruba tribe.
The difference appears to be that the complaints are
becoming much more public.
CAMPBELL