Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08ABUJA1966
2008-10-06 16:05:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Abuja
Cable title:
NIGERIAN SENATE'S DISSATISFACTION WITH MINISTERS,
how-toVZCZCXRO9522 PP RUEHPA DE RUEHUJA #1966 2801605 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 061605Z OCT 08 FM AMEMBASSY ABUJA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 4102 INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE RUEHYD/AMEMBASSY YAOUNDE 0409 RUEHOS/AMCONSUL LAGOS 0036 RUEAHQA/AFRICA CENTER FOR STRATEGIC STUDIES WASHDC 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 001966
SIPDIS
STATE FOR AF/W, INR/AA
DOE FOR GEORGE PERSON
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/01/2018
TAGS: PGOV PINR NI
SUBJECT: NIGERIAN SENATE'S DISSATISFACTION WITH MINISTERS,
LACK OF NEW LIST
Classified By: Charge d'Affairs Lisa Piascik for reasons 1.4. (b & d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L ABUJA 001966
SIPDIS
STATE FOR AF/W, INR/AA
DOE FOR GEORGE PERSON
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/01/2018
TAGS: PGOV PINR NI
SUBJECT: NIGERIAN SENATE'S DISSATISFACTION WITH MINISTERS,
LACK OF NEW LIST
Classified By: Charge d'Affairs Lisa Piascik for reasons 1.4. (b & d).
1. (C) PolOff spoke with Jonathan "Tunde" Mark (strictly
protect),son of Nigerian Senate President David Mark, who
also serves as his father's Special Assistant for Special
Duties on October 6, about whether the Senate had yet
received the list of proposed new ministerial nominations.
(NOTE: Reports circulated the week of September 22 that the
list of ministerial nominations had already been sent to the
Senate, which was on recess for the Eid El-Fitr holidays.)
The younger Mark said that the the Senate leadership has not
seen it, nor to their knowledge have any members, and added
that anger was building as it has not been forthcoming. He
added, "Pretty much everybody (in the Senate) realizes that
99 percent of the Ministers have done jack (bleep) in the
last year, and none of the distinguished members are happy
about it. We gave the ministerial nominees a pass last time
as a courtesy to His Excellency (President Yar'Adua),but
that will not be the case this time around." He further
described the attitude in the Senate as "militant" at this
point, and noted that the upper chamber has been patiently
awaiting the reshuffle since May, a patience that is now all
but gone.
2. (C) COMMENT: Tunde Mark's criticism of the Yar'Adua's
administration's lack of progress on even priority issues is
characteristic of the general mood of the Nigerian elite. It
should be noted, however, that the National Assembly's
legislative accomplishments to date have also been criticized
as disappointing and few. While most believe a Cabinet
reshuffle is coming (and few would disagree that it is
needed),the question of the day remains "When?" The
continued postponement of an announcement does not bode well
for Yar'Adua and will do little more than further contribute
to speculation on his health and ability to govern. END
COMMENT.
3. (U) This cable coordinated with Consulate Lagos.
Piascik
SIPDIS
STATE FOR AF/W, INR/AA
DOE FOR GEORGE PERSON
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/01/2018
TAGS: PGOV PINR NI
SUBJECT: NIGERIAN SENATE'S DISSATISFACTION WITH MINISTERS,
LACK OF NEW LIST
Classified By: Charge d'Affairs Lisa Piascik for reasons 1.4. (b & d).
1. (C) PolOff spoke with Jonathan "Tunde" Mark (strictly
protect),son of Nigerian Senate President David Mark, who
also serves as his father's Special Assistant for Special
Duties on October 6, about whether the Senate had yet
received the list of proposed new ministerial nominations.
(NOTE: Reports circulated the week of September 22 that the
list of ministerial nominations had already been sent to the
Senate, which was on recess for the Eid El-Fitr holidays.)
The younger Mark said that the the Senate leadership has not
seen it, nor to their knowledge have any members, and added
that anger was building as it has not been forthcoming. He
added, "Pretty much everybody (in the Senate) realizes that
99 percent of the Ministers have done jack (bleep) in the
last year, and none of the distinguished members are happy
about it. We gave the ministerial nominees a pass last time
as a courtesy to His Excellency (President Yar'Adua),but
that will not be the case this time around." He further
described the attitude in the Senate as "militant" at this
point, and noted that the upper chamber has been patiently
awaiting the reshuffle since May, a patience that is now all
but gone.
2. (C) COMMENT: Tunde Mark's criticism of the Yar'Adua's
administration's lack of progress on even priority issues is
characteristic of the general mood of the Nigerian elite. It
should be noted, however, that the National Assembly's
legislative accomplishments to date have also been criticized
as disappointing and few. While most believe a Cabinet
reshuffle is coming (and few would disagree that it is
needed),the question of the day remains "When?" The
continued postponement of an announcement does not bode well
for Yar'Adua and will do little more than further contribute
to speculation on his health and ability to govern. END
COMMENT.
3. (U) This cable coordinated with Consulate Lagos.
Piascik