NIGERIA: OFFICERS TRAVEL NORTH TO HOST IFTARS

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ABUJA 001953

SIPDIS

STATE FOR AF/W, INR/AA
DOE FOR GEORGE PERSON

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/02/2018
TAGS: PGOV KIRF KISL KPAO SCUL NI
SUBJECT: NIGERIA: OFFICERS TRAVEL NORTH TO HOST IFTARS

Classified By: Acting Political Counselor Cheryl Fernandes for reasons
1.4. (b & d).


1. (U) Summary: The Acting Deputy Chief of Mission, two
Poloffs, Econoff, and two PolFSNs traveled to Kano and Kaduna
on September 3 and 4 to host Iftar dinners for members of
each community. Approximately 50 guests from the government,
business sector, academia, and civil society were invited to
each event. In addition to the Iftars, the A/DCM
commissioned the Sarina Seed Storage Facility in Garko Local
Government of Kano State. While in Kaduna, Post staff took
the opportunity to meet with General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd.)
at his home to discuss the upcoming Supreme Court case on the
2007 presidential election. A/DCM and Poloffs made a
courtesy call on Kaduna businessman and former presidential
candidate Lema Jibrilu at his home where they discussed
Africa Command (AFRICOM),corruption, and the presidency.
End Summary.

Commissioning Ceremony
--------------

2. (U) The Sarina Seed Storage Facility was funded by the
Office of Security Cooperation under its Humanitarian
Assistance program. The commissioning ceremony was held in
the rural village of Sarina approximately one hour outside of
Kano. The entire community gathered to hear remarks by the
Acting Governor, a representative of the Emir of Kano, and by
the Acting Deputy Chief of Mission. The crowd responded with
great enthusiasm to the speeches and ribbon cutting.

Iftars
--------------

3. (U) Both Iftars were well attended. Guests appreciated
Poloff's remarks in Hausa welcoming the guests and
introducing the A/DCM. The A/DCM expressed the US's
commitment to the protection and promotion of religious
freedom and applauded those who work within their communities
to promote peace, dialogue, and collaboration among people of
different traditions. Post is looking at ways to broaden our
outreach for next year beyond the small number that can be
invited to a sit-down Iftar dinner.

Meeting with Buhari
--------------

4. (C) On September 4 when A/DCM asked Buhari if he was
hopeful about the Supreme Court's upcoming decision on the
2007 Presidential Election, Buhari seemed upbeat although he
noted that the 2003 case was in court for 13 months. He
opined that the current Chief Justice will make the
difference as he is more honest that past judges. When
questioned whether he thought concerns about the President's
health will be a factor in the Court's decision, Buhari said
that it would be "tragic legally if Yar'Adua's health is the
cause for overturning the election." Buhari explained that
the Court has three options: they can uphold election, the
election could be canceled and another election held, or it
could determine that the election should have gone to another
candidate. Buhari said that if the election is upheld he is
considering several possibilities for his future. When A/DCM
suggested to Buhari that the most likely scenario may be that
the election will be upheld, but given the President's health
he may not be able to perform his duties, Buhari simply
stated that the "safest thing for the country would be to
follow the system" and allow the PDP to "sort it out
internally." (Comment: Although in keeping with the northern
elite's desire to hold onto the presidency, it is interesting
that Buhari seems to favor resolving the succession question
WITHIN the PDP party rather than through another
election/selection of a northern candidate - in which he
would presumably be a candidate. Buhari, as others have done
as well, seems to give no thought to the idea of Jonathan
taking over in the event of Yar'Adua's incapacity. End
Comment.)

Meeting with Jibrilu
--------------

5. (C) On September 4 A/DCM, Poloffs, and PolFSNs met with
Dr. Lema Jibrilu, a Kaduna businessman and a candidate in the

ABUJA 00001953 002 OF 002


1991-1993 presidential elections. They discussed AFRICOM,
corruption, and the presidency. Jibrilu had the
misconception that AFRICOM is a kind of military
intervention, saying that if AFRICOM were in the Delta it
could stop illegal bunkering. A/DCM responded by explaining
that AFRICOM is an internal restructuring and that the United
States is reluctant to become the world's police. On
electoral reform, Jibrilu said that corruption is the real
problem with the electoral process and that no reform is
really needed. He opined that the deterrent to corrupt
practices would be to jail individuals who participate in
such activities and confiscate their property. He called
Attorney General Michael Aondoakaa "absolutely useless" and
maintained he is part of the problem with the legal system.
He claimed that everyone believes the Attorney General is
corrupt except the President. In regards to the presidency,
Jibrilu asserted that Yar'Adua's only health problem are his
kidneys, "otherwise he is healthy." He said that if the
President dies or becomes incapacitated that "Nigeria will
continue" but he claimed that Southern politicians would not
aspire to the presidency. (Note: He did not elaborate how
the North would prevent Jonathan from taking office, other
than to say "we know who is who." End Note.)


6. (U) This cable is coordinated with Consulate Lagos.
Piascik