Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08ABUJA2278
2008-11-19 15:13:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Abuja
Cable title:
TRIP REPORT: NO-NONSENSE GOVERNOR OF TARABA TALKS
how-toVZCZCXRO4850 PP RUEHPA DE RUEHUJA #2278 3241513 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 191513Z NOV 08 FM AMEMBASSY ABUJA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 4498 INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEHYD/AMEMBASSY YAOUNDE PRIORITY 0496 RUEHOS/AMCONSUL LAGOS PRIORITY 0294 RHMFISS/HQ USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE PRIORITY RHEHNSC/NSC WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RUEKJCS/DIA WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RUZEJAA/JAC MOLESWORTH RAF MOLESWORTH UK PRIORITY RUEHC/DEPT OF AGRICULTURE WASHDC PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L ABUJA 002278
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR AF/W, INR
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/18/2018
TAGS: PREL PGOV PINR KDEM NI
SUBJECT: TRIP REPORT: NO-NONSENSE GOVERNOR OF TARABA TALKS
POLITICS WITH THE AMBASSADOR
Classified By: Ambassador Robin Renee Sanders for reasons 1.4(b) and (d
)
(C) Summary. On November 13-14,the Ambassador led an
interagency delegation of USG officials to Taraba State for a
capacity building workshop on agriculture and AGOA as part of
a public-private partnership with the GON's Bank of Industry.
The Ambassador spent several hours with Taraba Governor
Danbaba Suntai, and had an opportunity to discuss Nigeria's
political climate. In a private luncheon conversation
(StaffAide, notetaker),the governor spoke candidly about
President Yar'Adua's health and his preferred presidential
candidate should the Supreme Court nullify the 2007 Election.
(C) On November 14, in a private meeting at the Government
Lodge in Jalingo, Taraba State, Governor Danbaba Suntai of
the PDP party and a friend of President Yar'Adua told the
Ambassador that the president's health seems to have improved
over the last month and that he appears to be getting back to
his old self. The Ambassador asked about reports of other
serious health issues, to which the governor replied that he
was only familiar with the kidney condition with which the
president has been struggling for the past eight years, and
that he was unaware of any new medical condition. The
governor said he knew the president well after working
closely with him when they were both governors (Yar'Adua was
governor of Katsina State),and that he "is not as crrupt as
the others." He added that the president is "tested" and that
even though it takes a while to get things done, he has a
good head on his shoulders and is an able manager with a
committed vision for his country. On the topic of the
Supreme Court potentially annulling the 2007 Presidential
Election, Governor Suntai told the Ambassador that even
though he is a committed member of the PDP party, he would
want to see Buhari elected as president because "he has the
integrity to do the right thing for this country." He was
very critical of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar of
neighboring Adamawa State, saying he was one of the most
corrupt people he knew and if he were to win the re-election
it would only be as a result of "buying the votes of the
masses by spreading around so much money."
(SBU) While in Taraba, the Ambassador kicked off a workshop
on strengthening agriculture and taking advantage of
opportunities to use the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act.
She brought officials from USDA, USAID, Bank of Industry, the
World Cocoa Foundation and the West Africa Regional Trade Hub
to the state to facilitate several workshops and breakout
sessions. She also accompanied the governor to a tea farm
and factory, and paid a courtesy visit to the Emir of Muri,
who appeared to be a very knowledgable and progressive
traditional ruler.
(C) Comment. Taraba Governor Suntai is a PDP stalwart, but
tough on corruption and crime in his state. He demonstrated
a no-nonsense kind of personality, with a strong desire to
move his state forward on agricultural development,
particularly in the areas of highland tea, poultry and
cassava exporting. He knows President Yar'Adua well from
when he was governor of Katsina State and had no problem
saying, "he is probably the least corrupt person in
government," leading us to understand that the president has
to do what he needs to survive politically in Nigeria. The
governor also added that Katsina had one of the most limited
budgets of all states, but then-governor Yar'Adua did the
most for the development of that state in comparison with
other states with larger budgets. The Ambassador has been to
16 or 17 states, and found Katsina to be one of the best run,
most organized, and cleanest states (Kwara follows closely)
with several state programs for its people, including a
world-class, science-focused university slated to open early
next year. End comment.
Sanders