Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07ABUJA2284
2007-10-26 13:49:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Abuja
Cable title:
NIGERIA: ELECTION OF YAR'ADUA SON-IN-LAW NULLIFIED
how-toVZCZCXRO0471 PP RUEHPA DE RUEHUJA #2284 2991349 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 261349Z OCT 07 FM AMEMBASSY ABUJA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 1307 INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE RUEHOS/AMCONSUL LAGOS 8159 RHEBAAA/DEPT OF ENERGY WASHDC 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 002284
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR AF/W, INR/AA
DOE FOR CAROLYN GAY
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/22/2017
TAGS: PGOV KDEM NI
SUBJECT: NIGERIA: ELECTION OF YAR'ADUA SON-IN-LAW NULLIFIED
Classified By: Political Counselor Walter Pflaumer for reasons 1.4. (b
& d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L ABUJA 002284
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR AF/W, INR/AA
DOE FOR CAROLYN GAY
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/22/2017
TAGS: PGOV KDEM NI
SUBJECT: NIGERIA: ELECTION OF YAR'ADUA SON-IN-LAW NULLIFIED
Classified By: Political Counselor Walter Pflaumer for reasons 1.4. (b
& d).
1. (SBU) The Kebbi State Electoral Tribunal nullified the
election of Saidu Usman Dakingari (Peoples' Democratic Party,
PDP) as Governor on October 21. Dakingari is President
Yar'Adua's son-in-law (his third wife is Yar'Adua's second
eldest daughter Zainab). The tribunal, headed by Justice
Aodover Kaka'an, determined that Dakingari was not property
nominated as the PDP candidate for the April 14 polls and
ordered that another election be held. Dakingari has
indicated the PDP will file an appeal of the decision.
According to Nigerian law, Dakingari will remain in office
until a decision is made on any appeal.
2. (SBU) Dakingari was substituted for Major General Mohammed
Magoro as the PDP candidate and the INEC was notified on
February 5. Although this meets a 60-day constitutional
requirement for substitution of candidates, the tribunal
found that Dakingari, who had decamped from the All Nigeria
Peoples' Party (ANPP),received his party membership in the
PDP only on February 10. Therefore, he was ineligible for
nomination as a PDP candidate as of the February 5
notification. In addition, the Constitution requires "cogent
and verifiable reasons" for substituting a candidate, which
the judge noted were not provided. The petitioners in this
case (Senator Farouk Bunza Bello of the ANPP and Alhaji
Abubakar Mallam of the DPP) also alleged that Dakingari did
not receive a majority of the votes in the April l4 poll;
however, the tribunal found that irregularities had "not
substantially affected the outcome of the election." Two of
the five tribunal members reportedly refused to sign the
decision, although it is not clear which portion of the
verdict they disagreed with.
3. (C) COMMENT. What is particularly noteworthy in this case
is not that the tribunal nullified the elections, but that it
appears Yar'Adua did not/not attempt to influence the
process. Given that Dakingari is Yar'Adua's son-in-law and
that Yar'Adua would not find Dakingari's removal politically
expedient, this could be our first concrete evidence of
Yar'Adua's personal commitment to the rule of law. Even
Dakingari's own statements have stressed that he is a
"democrat and believer in the rule of law" and will therefore
appeal through legal means. Post will continue to follow
this case and report any further developments. END COMMENT.
PIASCIK
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR AF/W, INR/AA
DOE FOR CAROLYN GAY
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/22/2017
TAGS: PGOV KDEM NI
SUBJECT: NIGERIA: ELECTION OF YAR'ADUA SON-IN-LAW NULLIFIED
Classified By: Political Counselor Walter Pflaumer for reasons 1.4. (b
& d).
1. (SBU) The Kebbi State Electoral Tribunal nullified the
election of Saidu Usman Dakingari (Peoples' Democratic Party,
PDP) as Governor on October 21. Dakingari is President
Yar'Adua's son-in-law (his third wife is Yar'Adua's second
eldest daughter Zainab). The tribunal, headed by Justice
Aodover Kaka'an, determined that Dakingari was not property
nominated as the PDP candidate for the April 14 polls and
ordered that another election be held. Dakingari has
indicated the PDP will file an appeal of the decision.
According to Nigerian law, Dakingari will remain in office
until a decision is made on any appeal.
2. (SBU) Dakingari was substituted for Major General Mohammed
Magoro as the PDP candidate and the INEC was notified on
February 5. Although this meets a 60-day constitutional
requirement for substitution of candidates, the tribunal
found that Dakingari, who had decamped from the All Nigeria
Peoples' Party (ANPP),received his party membership in the
PDP only on February 10. Therefore, he was ineligible for
nomination as a PDP candidate as of the February 5
notification. In addition, the Constitution requires "cogent
and verifiable reasons" for substituting a candidate, which
the judge noted were not provided. The petitioners in this
case (Senator Farouk Bunza Bello of the ANPP and Alhaji
Abubakar Mallam of the DPP) also alleged that Dakingari did
not receive a majority of the votes in the April l4 poll;
however, the tribunal found that irregularities had "not
substantially affected the outcome of the election." Two of
the five tribunal members reportedly refused to sign the
decision, although it is not clear which portion of the
verdict they disagreed with.
3. (C) COMMENT. What is particularly noteworthy in this case
is not that the tribunal nullified the elections, but that it
appears Yar'Adua did not/not attempt to influence the
process. Given that Dakingari is Yar'Adua's son-in-law and
that Yar'Adua would not find Dakingari's removal politically
expedient, this could be our first concrete evidence of
Yar'Adua's personal commitment to the rule of law. Even
Dakingari's own statements have stressed that he is a
"democrat and believer in the rule of law" and will therefore
appeal through legal means. Post will continue to follow
this case and report any further developments. END COMMENT.
PIASCIK