Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06ABUJA2817
2006-10-29 14:36:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Abuja
Cable title:
SPOT REPORT ON CONTINUING VIOLENCE IN PLATEAU STATE
how-toVZCZCXRO3261 PP RUEHPA DE RUEHUJA #2817 3021436 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 291436Z OCT 06 FM AMEMBASSY ABUJA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 7601 INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE RUEHOS/AMCONSUL LAGOS 5392 RHEHNSC/NSC WASHINGTON DC RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC RUEKDIA/DIA WASHDC
C O N F I D E N T I A L ABUJA 002817
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/24/2016
TAGS: PGOV PHUM KDEM NI
SUBJECT: SPOT REPORT ON CONTINUING VIOLENCE IN PLATEAU STATE
REF: ABUJA 2766
Classified By: Political Counselor Russell J. Hanks for Reasons 1.4 (b
and d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L ABUJA 002817
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/24/2016
TAGS: PGOV PHUM KDEM NI
SUBJECT: SPOT REPORT ON CONTINUING VIOLENCE IN PLATEAU STATE
REF: ABUJA 2766
Classified By: Political Counselor Russell J. Hanks for Reasons 1.4 (b
and d)
1. (C) Post reported in reftel the impeachment crisis in
Plateau State and resulting violence when the police fired on
a crowd of protesters. The situation became more intense
over the long holiday weekend. (Note: The GON was closed for
business October 23-24 for the end of Ramadan. End Note).
Embassy contacts and the media are reporting a palpable
tension, and the town of Pankshin has imposed a dusk to dawn
curfew after two people were feared killed in apparently
unrelated violence.
2. (C) The impeachment process against Governor Dariye
continues within the truncated state House of Assembly. The
six remaining members (of 24) asked the state's Chief Judge
to set up a panel investigating charges of corruption against
the governor. Dariye responded in the press by saying he
would not appear before the "kangaroo panel." The group of
14 pro-Dariye legislators who were removed from the state
assembly for leaving the PDP filed an injunction in Jos High
Court asking for an injunction against the 6 anti-Dariye
members from exercising their power as a legislature. (NOTE:
Other states' representatives have changed parties and have
not been removed from office. END NOTE.) If granted and
honored, the injunction would effectively stop the
impeachment. It is unclear how the courts would resolve
dueling orders with one court approving the investigative
panel and another blocking it.
3. (C) COMMENT. PolOff and PolFSN plan to visit Plateau
State October 29-31 to assess the situation. Specifically,
we will try to meet with Governor Dariye to get his
perspective. One Christian religious leader who is close to
the governor said that for the moment violence is restrained
because the people of Plateau State do not want a state of
emergency to be declared as it was in Ekiti State (and in
Plateau previously). However, he predicted riots if Dariye
is eventually removed from office. If riots happen and a
state of emergency is declared, it would be a troubling sign
for those concerned about the government's plans for next
spring's elections. Post will report more after the trip to
Plateau State. END COMMENT.
CAMPBELL
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/24/2016
TAGS: PGOV PHUM KDEM NI
SUBJECT: SPOT REPORT ON CONTINUING VIOLENCE IN PLATEAU STATE
REF: ABUJA 2766
Classified By: Political Counselor Russell J. Hanks for Reasons 1.4 (b
and d)
1. (C) Post reported in reftel the impeachment crisis in
Plateau State and resulting violence when the police fired on
a crowd of protesters. The situation became more intense
over the long holiday weekend. (Note: The GON was closed for
business October 23-24 for the end of Ramadan. End Note).
Embassy contacts and the media are reporting a palpable
tension, and the town of Pankshin has imposed a dusk to dawn
curfew after two people were feared killed in apparently
unrelated violence.
2. (C) The impeachment process against Governor Dariye
continues within the truncated state House of Assembly. The
six remaining members (of 24) asked the state's Chief Judge
to set up a panel investigating charges of corruption against
the governor. Dariye responded in the press by saying he
would not appear before the "kangaroo panel." The group of
14 pro-Dariye legislators who were removed from the state
assembly for leaving the PDP filed an injunction in Jos High
Court asking for an injunction against the 6 anti-Dariye
members from exercising their power as a legislature. (NOTE:
Other states' representatives have changed parties and have
not been removed from office. END NOTE.) If granted and
honored, the injunction would effectively stop the
impeachment. It is unclear how the courts would resolve
dueling orders with one court approving the investigative
panel and another blocking it.
3. (C) COMMENT. PolOff and PolFSN plan to visit Plateau
State October 29-31 to assess the situation. Specifically,
we will try to meet with Governor Dariye to get his
perspective. One Christian religious leader who is close to
the governor said that for the moment violence is restrained
because the people of Plateau State do not want a state of
emergency to be declared as it was in Ekiti State (and in
Plateau previously). However, he predicted riots if Dariye
is eventually removed from office. If riots happen and a
state of emergency is declared, it would be a troubling sign
for those concerned about the government's plans for next
spring's elections. Post will report more after the trip to
Plateau State. END COMMENT.
CAMPBELL