NIGERIA: DRAFT PRESIDENTIAL SUCCESSION PLAN LEAKED

C O N F I D E N T I A L ABUJA 002896 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR AF/W SILSKI AND SANNEH, INR/AA NSC FOR CHUDSON E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/16/2016 TAGS: PGOV ECON KCOR NI SUBJECT: NIGERIA: DRAFT PRESIDENTIAL SUCCESSION PLAN LEAKED Classified By: Classified by Political Counselor Russell Hanks for reas ons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) SUMMARY. A leaked Presidential succession strategy from within the Villa outlines a strategy for PDP political domination in Nigeria over the next 24 years. The strategy calls for President Obasanjo to name the next six candidates, who will govern in a North-South swap of the presidency and vice-presidency. The document also recommends establishment of a concurrent party structure within the PDP, as there is insufficient time to reform the party before elections. While on the surface the objectives seem perfectly legitimate, such as continuation of Obasanjo's reform agenda and the attraction of credible political officials, the strategies for achieving these objectives include coordinated use of security forces and influence over voter turnout in opposition-dominated areas. With dire warnings for the fate of the nation if PDP does not emerge victorious, the document provides a troubling insight into the possible mindset of Obasanjo's inner circle. END SUMMARY. ¶2. (C) PolOff, PAOff and PolFSN met with Editor-in-Chief Sam Nda-Isaiah (strictly protect) of Leadership newspaper on October 31 to discuss a draft Presidential succession plan which was leaked and included as an insert in the Leadership Sunday edition on October 29. The document, titled "Nigeria 20-2020 from 2006 to 2020: Sustainability and Succession Plan (Draft for Discussion)" and dated August 2006, was written by a six-member Presidential Advisory Team identified only as T6. Nda-Isaiah opined that the document is proof that internal democracy has failed within the PDP, with the party wholly reliant on Obasanjo. Nda-Isaiah said Obasanjo believes the country and the PDP will fall apart without his leadership. He maintained Obasanjo prefers to remain in office, but that barring this possibility he will accept a position as permanent PDP chairman. In either case, Nda-Isaiah said Obasanjo will protect Presidential Advisor Andy Uba, placing him in a position that confers immunity in order to protect both Obasanjo and Uba. ¶3. (C) According to Nda-Isaiah, the document was leaked by someone within the Villa security. He considers the source to be credible and believes the document authentic. Nda-Isaiah told EmbOffs he sees Abuja Federal Capital Territory Minister Mallam Nasir el-Rufai's style in the writing of the document. Other sources have told Pol Counselor that the six member team is composed of: el-Rufai, Minister of Education Obiageli Ezekwesili, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission Chairman Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, former Presidential Spokesman and newly-appointed Aviation Minister Femi Fani-Kayode, Presidential Political Advisor Akin Oshuntokun, and Presidential Senior Special Assistant on Domestic Affairs Andy Uba. Succession Plans and PDP Domination -------------- ¶4. (C) The document outlines a plan to provide for PDP domination of Nigerian politics at a national and state level for the next twenty-four years (six full terms). The objective is to preserve Obasanjo's reform programs and address upheavals in the Delta. On a positive note, the Team calls for free and fair elections in 2007 and a national campaign for good governance. It recommends identifying credible individuals and encouraging them to participate in the 2007 elections. In the same breath, however, the Team envisions using the SSS, Police, EFCC, ICPC and other state organs to secure a victory. The document also calls for "defensive measures to be put in place where the opposition is stronger to minimize voter turn out." ¶5. (C) As far as selection of presidential and vice presidential candidates, the document is explicit in reserving this decision for Obasanjo. The Team recommends selecting three strong candidates from the North and three from the South. All six individuals must be "highly marketable and patient enough to take their turns as future presidents or vice presidents." Whomever Obasanjo chooses as Vice President in 2007 (on a ticket including one Northerner and one Southerner),then becomes the Presidential candidate for the next round of elections. This process would continue, with Vice President becoming President and alternating between North and South, through all six individuals. The Team envisions these six future presidents maintaining positions as Ministers, Special Advisers and Assistants, State Governors, Deputy Governors, Speakers of State Houses of Assembly or members of the National Assembly, or leading key government departments such as the Central Bank, while they await their turn in the Villa. (NOTE: Interestingly, the only time in the document that the gender-neutral construction was used was in referring to potential future presidents from among the Ministers and Special Advisors or Assistants categories. END NOTE.) The Team rejects the possibility of a dark horse candidate, noting that a winning presidential candidate must be a "popular, well-packaged, consumable product." Reforming the PDP - A Call for Concurrent Structures -------------- -------------- ¶6. (C) The document also calls for reform of the PDP, noting that reliance on the current PDP structure to win the elections is "very risky." The Team calls for free and fair election of party executives and "appropriate" funding to prevent being ruled by godfathers. The Team concludes, however, that this cannot be done in time for the April elections as it requires a change in party leadership. Instead, the Team recommends the establishment of a concurrent party structure to manage the elections. The Team notes that extra funding will be necessary, but offers no potential sources. ¶7. (C) This concurrent structure consists of the Team and a President's Core Group (no more than ten, with the President as Chairman and the PDP candidate as Vice Chair). The Core Group coordinates six Zonal Facilitators and 36 State Enhancers, both performing and directing local and state election activities. As well, the Core Group is responsible for "systematically coordinating the use of Police, SSS, EFCC, ICPC and other state organs as per their respective roles before and during elections based on new approaches... which will be detailed out subsequently." ¶8. (C) The Core Group will also work to reconcile and resolve intra-party disputes. The document warns that corrupt Governors and Vice President Atiku may unify against the President. Apart from what the report terms the "very bad states of Abia, Adamawa, Benue and Plateau," it envisions offering the following package deal to corrupt officials: (1) voluntarily return looted funds, (2) agree to support reform-minded candidates in 2007, (3) quietly retire from politics, and (4) accept an appointed position within the Federal government, at home or overseas. The Team maintains that most of what it terms the "coalition of corruption" would accept this deal if they feel "the next President and his core team can be trusted to keep their words." (COMMENT. This is likely an implicit promise of protection against prosecution. END COMMENT.) Dire Warnings if No PDP Victory -------------- ¶9. (C) The Team maintains that should the opposition win, "the reform will be destroyed, its initiator and implementers humiliated, jailed and possibly killed." The Team also warns of the possibility of stalemated elections undermining the legitimacy of the presidency and leading to political conflict. It accuses the international news services of being the source of rumors and calls for stringers to be "identified for engagement, neutralizaiton or deployment against the enemy." The release of the census data is seen as a potential problem, with the Team noting it could be used by anyone for "mischief." A Troubling Look Inside the Villa -------------- ¶10. (C) The plan reads in large sections as a typical strategy document from an incumbent political party hoping to stay in power to see its policies fully implemented. What is disturbing, however, is the insight that other sections give into the possible mindset of Obasanjo's inner circle of advisors. The document frequently refers to the elections as a "war," talks of "neutralizing" the opposition, and refers to opponents of the third-term as the "coalition of evil." The document's references to the use of the SSS, Police, EFCC, ICPC and other state organs to ensure PDP victory and accusation of foreign press outlets as being the sources of political rumors are particularly troubling given Nigeria's history. While the objective of continuing Obasanjo's reform agenda may be perfectly legitimate, it is clear the authors feel the end justifies the means and are willing to pursue authoritarian strategies and undermine the rule of law to achieve an election-day victory. CAMPBELL