DPP'S BAFARAWA ON CAMPAIGN, POLITICAL BASE

C O N F I D E N T I A L ABUJA 000263

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/07/2017
TAGS: PGOV NI ELECTIONS
SUBJECT: DPP'S BAFARAWA ON CAMPAIGN, POLITICAL BASE

Classified By: Ambassador John Campbell for reasons 1.4 (b & d).


1. (C) SUMMARY: In a February 4 meeting with the
Ambassador, Sokoto State Governor Attahiru Bafarawa offered
his take on the presidential race, his own campaign as the
Democratic Peoples' Party (DPP) candidate, and widening his
political base of support to include northern Christians.
Bafarawa welcomed the Ambassador's statements regarding the
need for free, fair, credible elections. END SUMMARY.


2. (C) Sokoto State Governor Attahiru Bafarawa contended
that ANPP Presidential candidate General Muhammadu Buhari's
dearth of sufficient funds was delaying the formal launch of
his campaign. He surmised that were Buhari to drop out of
contention, he would throw his weight behind Bafarawa.
Bafarawa predicted that Action Congress (AC) Presidential
aspirant Vice President Atiku Abubakar would soon "concede"
to him as well. He stated that President Obasanjo was
currently scheming to "destabilize" Sokoto State and was
manipulating the Economic Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)
to "terrify" recalcitrant politicians. Bafarawa also said
that he met with Senate President Ken Nnamani, proposing the
Vice Presidential slot to him. He added that Nnamani
divulged that he was presently attempting to "arrange for all
PDP senators to decamp simultaneously" in order to remain
Senate President. In the event that Nnamani will not agree
to the VP slot, Bafarawa is prepared to approach the House
Speaker.


3. (C) With regard to Bafarawa's political base of support,
he remarked that he enjoys extensive popularity among
northern Christians, having donated private funds in the past
to restore burned or vandalized churches. He noted that he
is reaching out to prominent Christian leaders in Nigeria,
including Anglican Archbishop Akinola, president of the
Nigerian Christian Association and Father Matthew Kuka, a
catholic cleric close to President Obasanjo, to curry support
for his campaign.


4. (C) COMMENT: Governor Bafarawa appears self-assured and
confident that "only he" can rally the requisite votes needed
to win in April. He claims a large following among northern
Christians, though acknowledges that he cannot compete with
Buhari's popularity among the region's Muslims. Bafarawa
hails from a wealthy Sokoto family. A February 9 "Daily
Trust" article reports that the Sokoto State House Assembly
has charged Bafarawa with 11 counts of gross misconduct,
including embezzlement and diversion of State funds for
private consumption. Charges were brought by ANPP House
members, who clashed on February 1 with DPP Assembly members.
END COMMENT.
CAMPBELL