Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08ABUJA1957
2008-10-06 07:06:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Abuja
Cable title:
NIGERIA: PRESIDENTIAL APPOINTEES TAKE AN OATH OF
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C O N F I D E N T I A L ABUJA 001957
SIPDIS
STATE FOR AF/W, INR/AA
DOE FOR GEORGE PERSON
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/02/2018
TAGS: PGOV KHUM NI
SUBJECT: NIGERIA: PRESIDENTIAL APPOINTEES TAKE AN OATH OF
SECRECY
Classified By: Charge d'Affaires Lisa Piascik for reasons 1.4. (b & d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L ABUJA 001957
SIPDIS
STATE FOR AF/W, INR/AA
DOE FOR GEORGE PERSON
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/02/2018
TAGS: PGOV KHUM NI
SUBJECT: NIGERIA: PRESIDENTIAL APPOINTEES TAKE AN OATH OF
SECRECY
Classified By: Charge d'Affaires Lisa Piascik for reasons 1.4. (b & d).
1. (U) On September 23 some seventy political office holders
within the presidency publicly took an oath of secrecy at the
insistence of President Yar'Adua. On September 24,
presidential spokesman Olusegun Adeniyi downplayed the oath,
maintaining some of the advisors were never formally sworn
in. Others (including Adeniyi himself and the Chief Economic
Advisor),Adeniyi contended, had been administered the oath a
second time in error.
2. (U) News stories called the oath "illegal" and questioned
the need for government secrecy. Former Lagos Branch
Secretary of the Nigerian Bar Association, Mr. Ikeukor, told
Leadership newspaper an "oath of secrecy is normally referred
to classified government document to keep it away from those
who have no business with it. The question is, why is it now
that the government is asking its staff to swear to an oath
of secrecy? To avoid rumors, the channel of information
should be open." Other lawyers claimed the oath will impede
the passage of the Freedom of Information (FOI) Bill and the
media's ability to hold the government accountable. (Note:
No one has elaborated on just how the oath will impede the
FOI bill's passage. End note.) A spokesman for the
Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) called the
oath a sign of "an emerging dictatorship" and a "reverse gear
for a regime that professes rule of law".
3. (C) Comment: Although taking an oath of office is not
unusual, given the secrecy surrounding the President's
health, the government's recent closure of Channels
Television (after reporting that Yar'Adua would resign for
health reasons) and reports that a Cabinet reshuffle is
imminent, it is curious that the oath was administered
publicly and at this particular time. Yar'Adua's
unprecedented demand is being interpreted by some as an
attempt to send a strong message that he is in charge --
firmly in control of the presidency. In itself, it is
interesting that the President feels the need to remind his
closest staff of the need for confidentiality, both for what
it says about his staff and his desire to be open about
issues such as his health. The oath also provides Yar'Adua
the opportunity to release (for good cause) those who may
leak details of his health or what happens in the black box
known as the Presidential Villa to the media or Yar'Adua's
enemies. End Comment.
4. (U) This cable is coordinated with Consulate Lagos.
SANDERS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR AF/W, INR/AA
DOE FOR GEORGE PERSON
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/02/2018
TAGS: PGOV KHUM NI
SUBJECT: NIGERIA: PRESIDENTIAL APPOINTEES TAKE AN OATH OF
SECRECY
Classified By: Charge d'Affaires Lisa Piascik for reasons 1.4. (b & d).
1. (U) On September 23 some seventy political office holders
within the presidency publicly took an oath of secrecy at the
insistence of President Yar'Adua. On September 24,
presidential spokesman Olusegun Adeniyi downplayed the oath,
maintaining some of the advisors were never formally sworn
in. Others (including Adeniyi himself and the Chief Economic
Advisor),Adeniyi contended, had been administered the oath a
second time in error.
2. (U) News stories called the oath "illegal" and questioned
the need for government secrecy. Former Lagos Branch
Secretary of the Nigerian Bar Association, Mr. Ikeukor, told
Leadership newspaper an "oath of secrecy is normally referred
to classified government document to keep it away from those
who have no business with it. The question is, why is it now
that the government is asking its staff to swear to an oath
of secrecy? To avoid rumors, the channel of information
should be open." Other lawyers claimed the oath will impede
the passage of the Freedom of Information (FOI) Bill and the
media's ability to hold the government accountable. (Note:
No one has elaborated on just how the oath will impede the
FOI bill's passage. End note.) A spokesman for the
Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) called the
oath a sign of "an emerging dictatorship" and a "reverse gear
for a regime that professes rule of law".
3. (C) Comment: Although taking an oath of office is not
unusual, given the secrecy surrounding the President's
health, the government's recent closure of Channels
Television (after reporting that Yar'Adua would resign for
health reasons) and reports that a Cabinet reshuffle is
imminent, it is curious that the oath was administered
publicly and at this particular time. Yar'Adua's
unprecedented demand is being interpreted by some as an
attempt to send a strong message that he is in charge --
firmly in control of the presidency. In itself, it is
interesting that the President feels the need to remind his
closest staff of the need for confidentiality, both for what
it says about his staff and his desire to be open about
issues such as his health. The oath also provides Yar'Adua
the opportunity to release (for good cause) those who may
leak details of his health or what happens in the black box
known as the Presidential Villa to the media or Yar'Adua's
enemies. End Comment.
4. (U) This cable is coordinated with Consulate Lagos.
SANDERS