Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08LAGOS518
2008-12-29 12:16:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Consulate Lagos
Cable title:  

NIGERIA: UNION LEADERS EXTOL LABOR'S PERFORMANCE IN 2007

Tags:  ELAB PGOV PHUM KDEM NI 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO5945
RR RUEHMA RUEHPA
DE RUEHOS #0518 3641216
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 291216Z DEC 08
FM AMCONSUL LAGOS
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0392
INFO RUEHUJA/AMEMBASSY ABUJA 0033
RUEHC/DEPT OF LABOR WASHDC
RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHDC
RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC
RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC
UNCLAS LAGOS 000518 

Sensitive But Unclassified
SIPDIS

DOL FOR SUDHA HALEY
TREASURY FOR DPETERS, RHALL, RABDULRAZAK

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ELAB PGOV PHUM KDEM NI
SUBJECT: NIGERIA: UNION LEADERS EXTOL LABOR'S PERFORMANCE IN 2007
ELECTION

Sensitive But Unclassified; Handle Accordingly

UNCLAS LAGOS 000518

Sensitive But Unclassified
SIPDIS

DOL FOR SUDHA HALEY
TREASURY FOR DPETERS, RHALL, RABDULRAZAK

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ELAB PGOV PHUM KDEM NI
SUBJECT: NIGERIA: UNION LEADERS EXTOL LABOR'S PERFORMANCE IN 2007
ELECTION

Sensitive But Unclassified; Handle Accordingly


1. (SBU) Summary: Nigeria's National Union of Petroleum and Natural
Gas Employees (NUPENG) played a role in mobilizing volunteers for
the campaign of Governor Adams Oshiomhole, who ran with the support
of both the Action Congress (AC) and Labor Party (LP). Labor
volunteers also supported Labor Party candidate Olusegun Mimiko in
Ondo State whose election was upheld by the tribunal and who is
currently awaiting a February judgment of the appeals court; and LP
candidate and Nupeng trustee Bashiru Lamidi who ran third in Oyo
State. Despite these gains LP lacks funds and a strong network of
grassroots supporters in part because union members already belong
to other parties. Labor is working to repeal laws that forbid union
contributions to candidates. End Summary.


2. (SBU) On December 11, Pol-Econ Chief and PolSpec met with leaders
of two oil sector unions, the National Union of Petroleum and
Natural Gas Employees (NUPENG) and the Petroleum and Natural Gas
Senior Staff Association (PENGASSAN) about workers' participation in
the 2007 elections. NUPENG leaders in particular, played roles in
the campaign of Adams Oshiomhole as Edo State Governor, and believe
the Labor Party contributed significantly to Oshiomhole's victory.
High level officials, two of whom are from Edo State, said they
personally mobilized an effective network of volunteers in their
communities and those of their extended families.


3. (U) The leaders claimed that the Labor Party's support was
responsible not only for the victory in Edo State, but also the
impressive performances in Ondo and Oyo States by Labor Party
gubernatorial candidates. (Note: On July 25, an election tribunal
upheld Labor Party (LP) Candidate Olusegun Mimiko's victory in the
2007 Governorship election in Ondo State. An appeal of that decision
is pending in federal appeals court. In Oyo State, LP candidate and
NUPENG trustee Bashiru Lamidi came third in the 2007 governorship
election. End Note.) The union leaders said the Labor Party's
accomplishments in the last election showed that the Nigerian labor
movement has now achieved its long held goal of being an active
player in national politics. In the past, labor had confined itself
to traditional labor issues and had done little to enhance workers'
participation in party politics.


4. (SBU) Despite these achievements, the Labor Party still lacks a
network and grassroots base needed to win federal elections. The LP
had been counting on support from union members in many other states
but was disappointed to discover that most union members were
already affiliated with other parties. The Labor Party faced other
major challenges to success in the last election. Critical among
them was lack of funding to match the huge financial resources of
other parties. Although unions were willing to contribute to LP
candidates, the laws forbid labor organizations from funding
political campaigns. Unions are working to change these laws, they
said.


5. (SBU) Comment: The NUPENG leaders clearly played a personal role
in promoting labor's cause through the Labor Party. The leadership
of PENGASSAN, which represents senior staff white collar workers,
shared few details about labor's role in the campaign. End Comment

Hudson