TELECOM OPERATORS AND 2007 ELECTIONS

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 LAGOS 000379

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR AF/W
STATE FOR INR/AA

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/13/2016
TAGS: ECPS ECON EINV EIND PGOV PREL NI
SUBJECT: TELECOM OPERATORS AND 2007 ELECTIONS


Classified By: Acting Consul General William Howe for reasons 1.4 (B) a
nd (D).

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Summary
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1. (C) Organizations loyal to the Administration are
requesting support from Nigeria's major telecommunications
operators to support President Obasanjo's bid for a third
term. The Movement for National Accommodation and Consensus
for Obasanjo's Retention (MONACOR) sent confidential
letters to the three major Global System of Communication
Operators (GSM) requesting assistance in placing
advertisements supporting continuation of Obasanjo's
policies and reforms. End Summary.

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Background
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2. (SBU) The Movement for National Accommodation and
Consensus
for Obasanjo's Retention (MONACOR) is a political
organization aimed at amending the Nigerian Constitution to
allow President Obasanjo to run for a third term.
MONACOR's President and Vice-President are Alh. Salisu Isah
Gusau and Adewale Oyedepo. Their provisional headquarters
is based in Zamfara State.


3. (C) Below is a verbatim text of the letter of
introduction sent to Vmobile on February 8.

Begin Text:

LETTER OF INTRODUCTION OF MOVEMENT FOR NATIONAL
ACCOMMODATION AND CONSENSUS FOR OBASANJO'S RETENTION
(MONACAR)

The above name association wishes to make a formal
introduction before you in acknowledgment of your numerous
contributions to the political development of our country.

This association consist of male and female youths above 18
years of birth who share common values and dreams drawn
from each of the 36 States of the Federation cutting across
such boundaries as political party, religious group, ethnic
group etc, that hitherto destroys our unity.

MONACAR is aimed at consolidating democratic values
vis-a-vis sustainable development through continuity and
longevity. These and other objectives we hope to attain
only if we successfully convince the two factors, one;
constitutional amendment to favour another tenure of office
for the present administration to seek another mandate.
Two; to convince his Excellency President Olusegun Obasanjo
in order to accept the calls of Millions of Nigerian that
have been in bondage of the successive administration and
via for 2007, if the constitution is amended. That will
sustain the on-going reforms and policies.

MONACAR intends to embark on massive mobilization
campaigns, conferences, state rallies and six-world press
conferences in each of the geopolitical zone through all
the democratic channels. With these and other programs, we
hope to reach out to all stakeholders and other Nigerians
to work towards retaining and expanding the landmarks made
in the last six years.

Signed:

Alh. Salisu Isah Gusau (National President),Mr. Dennis
Ahmadu (National Secretary),Mr. Okechukwu Njoku (National
Organizing Secretary),Ajaezu Ikechukwu (South-East
Co-ordinator).

End Text

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GSM Operators Campaigning for Obasanjo?
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4. (C) Vmobile Chief Regulatory Officer, J.P. Snijders,
said on March 10 that Vmobile would not aid political
parties interested in using their organization as a
platform for political campaigns, and Vmobile would not
support MONACOR. However, he suggested other GSM
operators, MTN and Globacom, might send text messages on
behalf of the Administration as election campaigning
intensifies in coming months. He provided a copy of a
second MONACAR letter dated February 8 requesting Vmobile
assistance.


5. (C) Below is a Verbatim text of the letter.

Begin Text:

LETTER FOR REQUEST TO PLACE AN ADVERT ON YOUR NETWORK
PERTAINING TO OUR GROUP AND OBJECTIVES

We wish to seek an advert placement on your network in
support of Mr. President's achievements in almost all
facets of our economy especially the Telecom sector under
which you feature and clamour for his retention to crown
his reform efforts and reach out to areas yet uncovered.

We are embarking on national awareness campaigns and wish
to use your medium and believe you will be of tremendous
assistance being one of the benefactors of the present
administration's provision of enabling environment for
investment.

Thanks and God bless.

Signed:

Alh. Salisu Isah Gusau (National President),Mr. Dennis
Ahmadu (National Secretary),Mr. Okechukwu Njoku (National
Organizing Secretary),Ajaezu Ikechukwu (South-East
Co-ordinator).

End Text

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Comment
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6. (C) Nigerians love their mobile phones, and use of
broadcast text messaging is common for everything from
campaigning for a social club president to inviting friends
to a party. However, the deployment of mobile text messaging
is
likely to be a first in presidential elections. While the
Administration's approach to Vmobile so far has been
diplomatic, it remains unclear whether telecom companies
will come under undue pressure in the run up to 2007 to
deploy their technology to support a Third term for
Obasanjo. As the 2007 elections draw near,
telecommunications is likely to play an even greater role
in spreading campaign messages and agendas across the
country. End Comment.
HOWE