GROUPS MOVE UNSUCCESSFULLY FOR OYO STATE

C O N F I D E N T I A L LAGOS 000004

SIPDIS

STATE FOR AF/W
STATE FOR INR/AA

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/29/2015
TAGS: PREL PGOV NI
SUBJECT: GROUPS MOVE UNSUCCESSFULLY FOR OYO STATE
RECONCILIATION

REF: LAGOS 1921

Classified By: Consul General Brian L. Browne for Reason 1.4 (D)

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SUMMARY
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1. (C) Despite intervention by the Peoples Democratic Party
(PDP),Afenifere, and the Yoruba Council of Elders (YCE),the
political standoff in Oyo State remains. The eighteen
assemblymen who initiated impeachment proceedings against
Governor Rasheed Ladoja remain firm in their resolve to see
the process through, and the Oyo High Court denied an
injunction sought by Ladoja supporters, saying the court had
no jurisdiction. Meanwhile, lavishing Lamidi Adedibu with
encomiums at a recent public gathering, President Obasanjo
has many people questioning his impartiality. End summary.

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MANY INTERCESSIONS
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2. (U) Since violence erupted December 20 at the Oyo State
House of Assembly between supporters of Governor Ladoja and
his rival, Lamidi Adedibu, several groups have attempted to
mediate, including the national leadership of the PDP. On
December 28, a five-man panel established by the PDP held a
meeting with the feuding party members to help identify ways
out of the crisis. The two southwest socio-cultural groups,
Afenifere and the YCE, also have intervened.


3. (U) However, these interventions seem not to have cooled
the passions of the feuding groups. The eighteen assemblymen
who started the impeachment process have vowed to continue,
claiming the dispute between Governor Ladoja and Adedibu is
not the gravamen of their claims against the Governor. The
group is expected to petition for appointment of an
investigative panel shortly. That step was delayed by a bomb
scare at the House on December 29 which postponed sessions
until police can assure the facility is safe.

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HIGH COURT REFUSES TO STOP IMPEACHMENT
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4. (U) The Oyo High Court declined to issue an injunction in
the suit brought by the fourteen pro-Ladoja assemblymen,
ruling that it had no jurisdiction to interfere in
impeachment, which the court described as a purely
legislative process.

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COMMENT
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5. (C) Protestations are not completely convincing that the
dispute between Ladoja and the eighteen assemblymen is purely
local and not linked to the Ladoja-Adedibu animus. Most
likely Adedibu is a sponsor of the move against Ladoja.
Quite plausibly, Adedibu believes he has the tacit
endorsement of Abuja. President Obasanjo's recent
pro-Adedibu comments, coupled with Ladoja's past association
with Vice President Atiku, indicate that 2007 electoral
politics, both national and state, have contributed to this
welter. End comment.
BROWNE