Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07ABUJA156
2007-01-24 16:20:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Abuja
Cable title:
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY ON ELECTIONS, INEC
how-toVZCZCXRO7249 PP RUEHPA DE RUEHUJA #0156 0241620 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 241620Z JAN 07 FM AMEMBASSY ABUJA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 8419 INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE RUEHWR/AMEMBASSY WARSAW 0085 RUEHCD/AMCONSUL CIUDAD JUAREZ 0083 RUEHOS/AMCONSUL LAGOS 5995 RHEHNSC/NSC WASHINGTON DC RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC RUEKDIA/DIA WASHDC RHMFISS/HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE RUFOADA/JAC MOLESWORTH RAF MOLESWORTH UK
C O N F I D E N T I A L ABUJA 000156
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/23/2017
TAGS: PGOV KDEM NI ELECTIONS
SUBJECT: NATIONAL ASSEMBLY ON ELECTIONS, INEC
Classified By: Acting Political Counselor Heather Merritt for Reasons 1
.4 (b) and (d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L ABUJA 000156
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/23/2017
TAGS: PGOV KDEM NI ELECTIONS
SUBJECT: NATIONAL ASSEMBLY ON ELECTIONS, INEC
Classified By: Acting Political Counselor Heather Merritt for Reasons 1
.4 (b) and (d)
1. (C) At a January 23 reception, Chairman Hamisu Mu'azu
Shira of the Nigerian House Committee on Electoral Matters
told Poloffs the House is committed to smooth elections and a
smooth transition of power this spring. Shira indicated he
heard the Senate passed the first reading of a bill extending
the voter registration deadline to 60 days prior to
elections. (Note: News reports on January 24 confirmed this
information. The House passed a similar bill in December.)
Without an extension, Shira explained, the late completion of
the INEC registration exercise could be used to throw the
process off track and delay April elections. Shira believes
the Senate will pass the bill soon, ending the possibility of
contesting the legality of continued registration.
2. (C) Shira told Poloff the House has decided not to call
for the resignation of INEC Chairman Maurice Iwu, noting that
the registration exercise has become more efficient in recent
weeks. According to Shira, INEC's most recent figures show
more than 42 million registered voters (or over half the
probable electorate). He attributed the increased numbers to
the acquisition of laptop computers to complement the direct
data capture machines.
3. (C) BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE: Shira, elected to the House in 2003
from the northern Shira/Giade area of Bauchi State on a PDP
ticket, told Poloff he will not run for reelection despite
his eligibility for another term. He told Poloff he will
support a candidate from elsewhere in his district "to
provide balance." This, he maintained, would also allow the
voters in the future to choose a candidate based on
qualifications rather than locality. He did not rule out the
idea of running for Senate in four years when voters have
been able to see his work compared to that of another and
"know he did not unduly favor his own town." Until then, he
told Poloff he is open to an Ambassadorial appointment,
political appointment or consultancy work. COMMENT. Shira's
explanation of why he is not seeking reelection, while
diplomatically stated, is likely not wholy accurate. Shira
was an outspoken opponent of Obasanjo's third term bid in
spring 2005 and because of this he was unlikely to get PDP
support for a second term. He appears now to be biding his
time until the 2011 elections to throw his hat in the ring,
but with his eyes on a Senate seat instead. END COMMENT.
CAMPBELL
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/23/2017
TAGS: PGOV KDEM NI ELECTIONS
SUBJECT: NATIONAL ASSEMBLY ON ELECTIONS, INEC
Classified By: Acting Political Counselor Heather Merritt for Reasons 1
.4 (b) and (d)
1. (C) At a January 23 reception, Chairman Hamisu Mu'azu
Shira of the Nigerian House Committee on Electoral Matters
told Poloffs the House is committed to smooth elections and a
smooth transition of power this spring. Shira indicated he
heard the Senate passed the first reading of a bill extending
the voter registration deadline to 60 days prior to
elections. (Note: News reports on January 24 confirmed this
information. The House passed a similar bill in December.)
Without an extension, Shira explained, the late completion of
the INEC registration exercise could be used to throw the
process off track and delay April elections. Shira believes
the Senate will pass the bill soon, ending the possibility of
contesting the legality of continued registration.
2. (C) Shira told Poloff the House has decided not to call
for the resignation of INEC Chairman Maurice Iwu, noting that
the registration exercise has become more efficient in recent
weeks. According to Shira, INEC's most recent figures show
more than 42 million registered voters (or over half the
probable electorate). He attributed the increased numbers to
the acquisition of laptop computers to complement the direct
data capture machines.
3. (C) BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE: Shira, elected to the House in 2003
from the northern Shira/Giade area of Bauchi State on a PDP
ticket, told Poloff he will not run for reelection despite
his eligibility for another term. He told Poloff he will
support a candidate from elsewhere in his district "to
provide balance." This, he maintained, would also allow the
voters in the future to choose a candidate based on
qualifications rather than locality. He did not rule out the
idea of running for Senate in four years when voters have
been able to see his work compared to that of another and
"know he did not unduly favor his own town." Until then, he
told Poloff he is open to an Ambassadorial appointment,
political appointment or consultancy work. COMMENT. Shira's
explanation of why he is not seeking reelection, while
diplomatically stated, is likely not wholy accurate. Shira
was an outspoken opponent of Obasanjo's third term bid in
spring 2005 and because of this he was unlikely to get PDP
support for a second term. He appears now to be biding his
time until the 2011 elections to throw his hat in the ring,
but with his eyes on a Senate seat instead. END COMMENT.
CAMPBELL