Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08ABUJA1636
2008-08-15 13:01:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Abuja
Cable title:
NIGERIA: PRESS COVERAGE FOLLOWING AUG 14 BAKASSI
how-toVZCZCXRO1696 PP RUEHPA DE RUEHUJA #1636 2281301 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 151301Z AUG 08 FM AMEMBASSY ABUJA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 3707 INFO RUEHYD/AMEMBASSY YAOUNDE PRIORITY 0340 RUEHOS/AMCONSUL LAGOS PRIORITY 9826 RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE RHMFISS/HQ USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE RHEBAAA/DEPT OF ENERGY WASHDC RHEHNSC/NSC WASHINGTON DC RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC RUEKDIA/DIA WASHDC RHMFISS/HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE RUZEJAA/JAC MOLESWORTH RAF MOLESWORTH UK
C O N F I D E N T I A L ABUJA 001636
SIPDIS
STATE FOR AF/W, AF/C, INR/AA
DOE FOR GEORGE PERSON
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/14/2018
TAGS: PREL PGOV PBTS PHSA NI CM
SUBJECT: NIGERIA: PRESS COVERAGE FOLLOWING AUG 14 BAKASSI
HANDOVER
REF: ABUJA 1632 AND PREVIOUS
Classified By: Acting Political Counselor Cheryl Fernandes for reasons
1.4. (b & d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L ABUJA 001636
SIPDIS
STATE FOR AF/W, AF/C, INR/AA
DOE FOR GEORGE PERSON
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/14/2018
TAGS: PREL PGOV PBTS PHSA NI CM
SUBJECT: NIGERIA: PRESS COVERAGE FOLLOWING AUG 14 BAKASSI
HANDOVER
REF: ABUJA 1632 AND PREVIOUS
Classified By: Acting Political Counselor Cheryl Fernandes for reasons
1.4. (b & d).
1. (SBU) In the first day following Nigeria's handover of the
disputed Bakassi peninsula to Cameroon, press coverage was
considerably less than the days preceding the handover and
the rhetoric was noticeably reduced. Articles instead
focused predominantly on reporting the details of the
handover ceremony, reprinting excerpts of the speeches, and
providing a synopsis of the history of the Bakassi dispute.
The GON National Economic Council, chaired by Vice President
Goodluck Jonathan, made public statements on August 15 urging
governors of states neighboring Bakassi to assist Nigerian
returnees. Former military Head of State General Yakubu
Gowon told the BBC Hausa Service that Nigeria took the "right
step" in ceding the peninsula. Leadership newspaper reported
former President Olusegun Obasanjo refused to comment on the
handover.
2. (SBU) The few statements opposing the handover in the
August 16 press were almost exclusively attributed to members
of the National Assembly. Representative Dino Melaye (PDP,
Kogi State) announced the opening of a register for House
members to voice their displeasure to the administration.
Representative Eziuche Ubani (PDP, Abia State) called the
handover "annoying and disappointing" and in "flagrant
disobedience to the clarion calls by Nigerians." Senator
Florence Ita-Giwa (APP, Cross River State),who attended the
handover ceremony, maintained that "the struggle had just
begun."
PIASCIK
SIPDIS
STATE FOR AF/W, AF/C, INR/AA
DOE FOR GEORGE PERSON
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/14/2018
TAGS: PREL PGOV PBTS PHSA NI CM
SUBJECT: NIGERIA: PRESS COVERAGE FOLLOWING AUG 14 BAKASSI
HANDOVER
REF: ABUJA 1632 AND PREVIOUS
Classified By: Acting Political Counselor Cheryl Fernandes for reasons
1.4. (b & d).
1. (SBU) In the first day following Nigeria's handover of the
disputed Bakassi peninsula to Cameroon, press coverage was
considerably less than the days preceding the handover and
the rhetoric was noticeably reduced. Articles instead
focused predominantly on reporting the details of the
handover ceremony, reprinting excerpts of the speeches, and
providing a synopsis of the history of the Bakassi dispute.
The GON National Economic Council, chaired by Vice President
Goodluck Jonathan, made public statements on August 15 urging
governors of states neighboring Bakassi to assist Nigerian
returnees. Former military Head of State General Yakubu
Gowon told the BBC Hausa Service that Nigeria took the "right
step" in ceding the peninsula. Leadership newspaper reported
former President Olusegun Obasanjo refused to comment on the
handover.
2. (SBU) The few statements opposing the handover in the
August 16 press were almost exclusively attributed to members
of the National Assembly. Representative Dino Melaye (PDP,
Kogi State) announced the opening of a register for House
members to voice their displeasure to the administration.
Representative Eziuche Ubani (PDP, Abia State) called the
handover "annoying and disappointing" and in "flagrant
disobedience to the clarion calls by Nigerians." Senator
Florence Ita-Giwa (APP, Cross River State),who attended the
handover ceremony, maintained that "the struggle had just
begun."
PIASCIK