Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07ABUJA903
2007-05-09 15:46:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Abuja
how-toVZCZCXRO0265 OO RUEHPA DE RUEHUJA #0903 1291546 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 091546Z MAY 07 FM AMEMBASSY ABUJA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 9455 INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE RUEHWR/AMEMBASSY WARSAW 0319 RUEHCD/AMCONSUL CIUDAD JUAREZ 0315 RUEHOS/AMCONSUL LAGOS 6813 RHEBAAA/DEPT OF ENERGY WASHINGTON DC 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 000903
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DOE FOR CAROLYN GAY
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/09/2017
TAGS: PGOV PREL NI
SUBJECT: YAR'ADUA'S AFRICAN TOUR
Classified By: Political Counselor Russell J. Hanks for reasons 1.4. (b
& d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L ABUJA 000903
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DOE FOR CAROLYN GAY
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/09/2017
TAGS: PGOV PREL NI
SUBJECT: YAR'ADUA'S AFRICAN TOUR
Classified By: Political Counselor Russell J. Hanks for reasons 1.4. (b
& d).
1. (U) Governor Musa Umaru Yar'Adua embarked on an African
tour this week. In Benin, Yar'Adua called for stronger
cooperation between the two countries and assured resident
Nigerians that his administration will continue and
consolidate the Obasanjo Administration's economic reforms.
In Togo, the president-elect pledged cooperation on energy
and security issues. During a May 8 stop in Niger, Yar'Adua
met with President Mamadou and pledged to improve border
security. Yar'Adua arrived in South African May 9 for a
meeting with President Mbeki. The president-elect brushed
aside criticisms of the April polls, telling President Mbeki
that Nigerian election results are always disputed by the
losers, and indicating that he has tried to reach out to the
opposition. On at least part of his tour, Governor Yar'Adua
was accompanied by Dr. Bukola Saraki (Governor of Kwara),
Chief James Ibori (Governor of Delta),Dr. Andy Uba
(Governor-elect, Anambra),Nigerian Ambassador to the USA Dr.
George Obiozor, and several prominent businessmen including
Aliko Dangote.
2. (C) It is difficult to ascertain what other visits the
president-elect has planned. Local media reports that
Yar'Adua's African tour will continue with stops in Senegal,
Algeria, and Libya later this week. The Egyptian Embassy in
Abuja confirmed to Poloff that a trip to Cairo is in the
works, but such a trip has never been mentioned in the press.
According to Egyptian diplomats, visas have been issued to
Yar'Adua and his party and President Mubarak will meet with
Yar'Adua in Cairo, schedule permitting. However, the date of
the trip has changed several times, and it may happen May 10
or 14 or 15. Poloffs have been trying a variety of sources
to find out whether Governor Yar'Adua will be in Abuja the
week of May 14. Sources (including Ambassador Obiozor and
PDP National Secretary Ojo Maduekwe) are unable to confirm
Yar'Adua's movements next week. We have heard rumors of
possible travel to Russia, China, and Brazil before the
inauguration.
3. (C) Governor Yar'Adua's travels may be limited due to his
health (we believe he has only made day trips so far) and
tainted by the deeply flawed April polls. Early speculation
about the president-elect being received in Washington,
London, and European capitals before May 29 has subsided,
probably due to Western governments' distaste with the manner
in which Yar'Adua was "selected" to succeed Obasanjo.
However, health permitting, trips to Cairo, Moscow, and
Bejing may still be in the works, as those governments have
fewer qualms about the manner in which Yar'Adua gained power
and great desire access to Nigeria's resources and markets.
CAMPBELL
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DOE FOR CAROLYN GAY
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/09/2017
TAGS: PGOV PREL NI
SUBJECT: YAR'ADUA'S AFRICAN TOUR
Classified By: Political Counselor Russell J. Hanks for reasons 1.4. (b
& d).
1. (U) Governor Musa Umaru Yar'Adua embarked on an African
tour this week. In Benin, Yar'Adua called for stronger
cooperation between the two countries and assured resident
Nigerians that his administration will continue and
consolidate the Obasanjo Administration's economic reforms.
In Togo, the president-elect pledged cooperation on energy
and security issues. During a May 8 stop in Niger, Yar'Adua
met with President Mamadou and pledged to improve border
security. Yar'Adua arrived in South African May 9 for a
meeting with President Mbeki. The president-elect brushed
aside criticisms of the April polls, telling President Mbeki
that Nigerian election results are always disputed by the
losers, and indicating that he has tried to reach out to the
opposition. On at least part of his tour, Governor Yar'Adua
was accompanied by Dr. Bukola Saraki (Governor of Kwara),
Chief James Ibori (Governor of Delta),Dr. Andy Uba
(Governor-elect, Anambra),Nigerian Ambassador to the USA Dr.
George Obiozor, and several prominent businessmen including
Aliko Dangote.
2. (C) It is difficult to ascertain what other visits the
president-elect has planned. Local media reports that
Yar'Adua's African tour will continue with stops in Senegal,
Algeria, and Libya later this week. The Egyptian Embassy in
Abuja confirmed to Poloff that a trip to Cairo is in the
works, but such a trip has never been mentioned in the press.
According to Egyptian diplomats, visas have been issued to
Yar'Adua and his party and President Mubarak will meet with
Yar'Adua in Cairo, schedule permitting. However, the date of
the trip has changed several times, and it may happen May 10
or 14 or 15. Poloffs have been trying a variety of sources
to find out whether Governor Yar'Adua will be in Abuja the
week of May 14. Sources (including Ambassador Obiozor and
PDP National Secretary Ojo Maduekwe) are unable to confirm
Yar'Adua's movements next week. We have heard rumors of
possible travel to Russia, China, and Brazil before the
inauguration.
3. (C) Governor Yar'Adua's travels may be limited due to his
health (we believe he has only made day trips so far) and
tainted by the deeply flawed April polls. Early speculation
about the president-elect being received in Washington,
London, and European capitals before May 29 has subsided,
probably due to Western governments' distaste with the manner
in which Yar'Adua was "selected" to succeed Obasanjo.
However, health permitting, trips to Cairo, Moscow, and
Bejing may still be in the works, as those governments have
fewer qualms about the manner in which Yar'Adua gained power
and great desire access to Nigeria's resources and markets.
CAMPBELL