Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08ABUJA2382
2008-12-10 16:44:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Abuja
Cable title:
NIGERIA: SUPREME COURT REPORTEDLY TO RULE DECEMBER
how-toVZCZCXRO2955 PP RUEHPA DE RUEHUJA #2382 3451644 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 101644Z DEC 08 FM AMEMBASSY ABUJA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 4649 INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE RUEHSA/AMEMBASSY PRETORIA 1564 RUEHYD/AMEMBASSY YAOUNDE 0550 RUEHOS/AMCONSUL LAGOS 0411 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 002382
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR AF/W, INR/AA
DOE FOR GEORGE PERSON
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/10/2018
TAGS: PGOV NI
SUBJECT: NIGERIA: SUPREME COURT REPORTEDLY TO RULE DECEMBER
12 ON 2007 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION CASE
REF: A. ABUJA 2065 AND PREVIOUS
B. ABUJA 2339
C. ABUJA 2123
Classified By: Ambassador Robin R. Sanders for reasons 1.4. (b & d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L ABUJA 002382
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR AF/W, INR/AA
DOE FOR GEORGE PERSON
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/10/2018
TAGS: PGOV NI
SUBJECT: NIGERIA: SUPREME COURT REPORTEDLY TO RULE DECEMBER
12 ON 2007 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION CASE
REF: A. ABUJA 2065 AND PREVIOUS
B. ABUJA 2339
C. ABUJA 2123
Classified By: Ambassador Robin R. Sanders for reasons 1.4. (b & d).
1. (C) Poloff was contacted morning of Wednesday, December
10, by Buba Galadima, close personal aide to All Nigeria
Peoples Party (ANPP) Presidential candidate Muhammadu Buhari
who said the latter's lawyers were told that the Supreme
Court (SC) would convene morning of December 12 to render its
judgment on the 2007 Presidential Election. Later on
December 10, PolAssistant reached Atiku's spokesman, Garba
Shehu, who confirmed the information.
2. (C) The Mission does not expect any violence in Abuja or
its surroundings in light of the SC decision. In fact,
whatever happens is likely to be as anticlimactic here as was
the February 2008 Appeals Court ruling, which went in favor
of President Yar'Adua. There is still a 50-50 chance for the
SC to rule either for or against Yar'Adua. The President's
health remains a factor, but all of our previous reporting
(see reftels) has outlined the possible scenarios if Yar'Adua
remains on seat, or if the 2007 election is annulled. In
either case, Nigeria will remain sluggish with unfocused
leadership if Yar'Adua's election is upheld, or faced with
another disorganized (as INEC has not been reformed) chaotic
election process fraught with rigging and election misconduct
if the 2007 is overturned.
3. (SBU) Embassy officers and PolAssistant plan to attend the
session and will report as soon as we get a judgment.
4. (U) This cable was coordinated with Consulate Lagos.
Sanders
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR AF/W, INR/AA
DOE FOR GEORGE PERSON
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/10/2018
TAGS: PGOV NI
SUBJECT: NIGERIA: SUPREME COURT REPORTEDLY TO RULE DECEMBER
12 ON 2007 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION CASE
REF: A. ABUJA 2065 AND PREVIOUS
B. ABUJA 2339
C. ABUJA 2123
Classified By: Ambassador Robin R. Sanders for reasons 1.4. (b & d).
1. (C) Poloff was contacted morning of Wednesday, December
10, by Buba Galadima, close personal aide to All Nigeria
Peoples Party (ANPP) Presidential candidate Muhammadu Buhari
who said the latter's lawyers were told that the Supreme
Court (SC) would convene morning of December 12 to render its
judgment on the 2007 Presidential Election. Later on
December 10, PolAssistant reached Atiku's spokesman, Garba
Shehu, who confirmed the information.
2. (C) The Mission does not expect any violence in Abuja or
its surroundings in light of the SC decision. In fact,
whatever happens is likely to be as anticlimactic here as was
the February 2008 Appeals Court ruling, which went in favor
of President Yar'Adua. There is still a 50-50 chance for the
SC to rule either for or against Yar'Adua. The President's
health remains a factor, but all of our previous reporting
(see reftels) has outlined the possible scenarios if Yar'Adua
remains on seat, or if the 2007 election is annulled. In
either case, Nigeria will remain sluggish with unfocused
leadership if Yar'Adua's election is upheld, or faced with
another disorganized (as INEC has not been reformed) chaotic
election process fraught with rigging and election misconduct
if the 2007 is overturned.
3. (SBU) Embassy officers and PolAssistant plan to attend the
session and will report as soon as we get a judgment.
4. (U) This cable was coordinated with Consulate Lagos.
Sanders