NIGERIAN LABOR SUPPORTS OSHIOMHOLE, CRITICIZES

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ABUJA 000892 SIPDIS DEPT FOR DRL, AF/W PLS PASS USTR FOR AGAMA DOL FOR SUDHA HALEY DOE FOR GEORGE PERSON DOC FOR 3317/ITA/OA/KBURRESS TREASURY FOR DAN PETERS E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/14/2018 TAGS: ELAB PGOV KDEM PHUMNI NI SUBJECT: NIGERIAN LABOR SUPPORTS OSHIOMHOLE, CRITICIZES OBASANJO Classified By: Ambassador Robin Renee Sanders for reasons 1.4. (b & d). ¶1. (C) SUMMARY. The Abuja May Day celebration (May 1), cosponsored by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC),was in general a lackluster and unenthusiastic event, with only half-hearted cheers from the crowd to "aluta continua" (the fight continues). The arrival of former NLC president and Labour Party gubernatorial candidate (and declared winner of the 2007 Edo State gubernatorial election by a recent election tribunal decision) Adams Oshiomhole and his subsequent speech were the only times the approximately thousand-strong crowd became energized and excited. Though it appeared few were listening, the speeches by NLC and TUC presidents Omar and Esele were highly critical of the former Obasanjo administration and the former president himself. Both men were careful in their criticism of the current situation in Nigeria -- supporting President Yar'Adua while at the same time calling on him to do more to address Nigeria's problems. NLC President Omar expressed solidarity with the Zimbabwean people and called on the GON to support the people's self-determination. END SUMMARY. ¶2. (C) Nigeria's 2008 May Day celebration in Abuja's Eagle Square was a lackluster event -- a clear departure from 2007, when workers (and the public at large) had waited anxiously to see what labor leaders would say about the failed elections just weeks prior. Though approximately one thousand union members gathered, there was a palpable lack of enthusiasm and most people either sat and chatted or milled about during the event. NLC President Abdulwahed Omar and TUC President Peter Esele both delivered speeches highly critical of former President Obasanjo and of the current situation in Nigeria. Both were careful, however, to avoid criticizing President Yar'Adua and instead voiced support for Yar'Adua's seven point agenda, calling only on the President to hasten progress. In particular, the two focused on the need for electoral reform, a resolution to the Niger Delta crisis, an end to corruption and increased efforts to recover stolen funds, the continued review of privatization and concessioning carried out by Obasanjo toward the end of his tenure, increased efforts to stave off a food shortage and prevent inflation of basic food stuffs, increased infrastructure development, and continued stability of domestic petroleum prices. NLC's Omar voiced solidarity with the working people of Zimbabwe and called on the GON to support the self-determination of the Zimbabwean people. ¶3. (SBU) OSHIOMHOLE STOLE THE SHOW: The crowd suddenly became electric, however, when former NLC President and Edo State Action Congress (AC) gubernatorial candidate Adams Oshiomhole arrived. (NOTE: Oshoimhole, originally a Labour Party candidate who later switched to AC, was declared the winner of the Edo State gubernatorial elections by a state electoral tribunal on March 20.) The crowd surged toward the entrance when he was spotted and he was quickly whisked to the shoulders of the crowd and carried a full circle around the venue amid cheers and pumping fists. Banners reading "Edo State: Defending the Peoples' Mandate" and "Nigeria Needs Oshiomhole in Government" suddenly appeared out of no where (disappearing again after Oshiomhole delivered his brief goodwill message). As the crowd rounded the front of the parade square the second time, NLC officers managed to wrangle Oshiomhole from the crowd and lead him into the VIP booth. For approximately 20 minutes, speeches were suspended while the crowd cheered. ¶4. (C) COMMENT. Such a groundswell of populous support is unheard of in Nigeria, where parties and candidates pay supporters to either half-heartedly cheer or, worse, to perpetrate violence on other parties' candidates and their supporters. That the support appeared in Abuja (and not in Oshiomhole's home state of Edo) is only further evidence of ABUJA 00000892 002 OF 002 his popular support among labor groups across the country. His popularity is in no small part enhanced by the fact that he is the sole candidate who has been able to prove in a tribunal not that the elections should be nullified based on technicalities, but that he actually won the election despite results announced to the contrary. It was clear that, at least among labor, he is viewed as a champion of the people. In a normally functioning democracy, one would consider such a populous figure a potential future presidential candidate. END COMMENT. SANDERS