Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06LAGOS1080
2006-08-08 10:42:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Consulate Lagos
Cable title:  

POLITICAL VIEWS, SURPRISING OFFER FROM DELTA

Tags:  PREL PGOV NI 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO4445
RR RUEHPA
DE RUEHOS #1080/03 2201042
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
R 081042Z AUG 06 ZDK
FM AMCONSUL LAGOS
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 7759
INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE
RUEHUJA/AMEMBASSY ABUJA 7698
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 03 OF 03 LAGOS 001080

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR AF/W
STATE FOR INR/AA

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/24/2016
TAGS: PREL PGOV NI
SUBJECT: POLITICAL VIEWS, SURPRISING OFFER FROM DELTA
GOVERNOR IBORI


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LAGOS 00001080 003 OF 003


unpopular within the South-South and even in Rivers State.

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DELTA STATE DEVELOPMENT
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9. (C) When asked about Delta State's development
activities, Ibori described a program featuring his
recently-approved Warri bridge project (actually one large
bridge and twenty-five smaller bridges.) The project has the
dual benefit of producing much-needed employment and
developing needed infrastructure. Ibori stressed the Warri
bridge program price tag, claiming it will cost roughly 25
billion naira (approximately 195 million USD),a very large
portion of the budget available for infrastructure
development.


10. (C) Claiming to run a transparent administration, Ibori
also admitted his government could do more and be more
efficient. He then stated he would like USG technical
assistance in helping Delta improve fiscal discipline and to
better channel funds to sustainable development projects,
particularly in the Warri area. He made a similar plea
before the local media the following morning.

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COMMENT
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11. (C) Although not opting for higher office, Ibori will
be an important player in 2007. He has an ample war chest
that will help any candidate he decides to endorse. For now
that candidate is Atiku. However, Ibori is most interested
in his post-2007. He wants a quiet life where he can enjoy
his vast fortune. To get to that quiet life, he must
continue to walk that tightrope between President Obasanjo
and VP Atiku, and therefore he is hedging his support for
Atiku by planning on staying in the PDP. Thus, should Atiku
sink, Ibori will not drown with him. Should Atiku rise, then
Ibori will reap the dividends of his surreptitious but
significant support to Atiku. Managing this balance will
take a lot of acumen. Ibori has the skill but his situation
also shines a clear light on the cynical dimensions Nigeria's
electoral politics have already attained. We will consider
the possibility of taking-up the Governor on his
unprecedented offer to review the Delta State books and lend
technical assistance to the state's development efforts.
Delta State is a strategic state. The creeks around the city
of Warri are home to FNDIC, the Ijaw militant group that
damaged Shell facilities earlier this year causing Shell to
lose 500,000 bpd of oil. During the 2003 election season,
that same group turned Warri into chaos and damaged Chevron's
Escravos facilities. The more we can push Ibori to target
the Warri area for some short-term development assistance,
the more we can stand a chance of preventing a repeat of the
destruction the Ijaw militants have caused to oil facilities
in Delta State. End comment.
BROWNE