Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09ABUJA1435
2009-08-05 16:18:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Abuja
Cable title:
NIGERIA: YAKUBU GOWON DISCUSSES BOKO HARAM,
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C O N F I D E N T I A L ABUJA 001435
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR AF/W, INR/AA
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/31/2017
TAGS: PREL PGOV NI
SUBJECT: NIGERIA: YAKUBU GOWON DISCUSSES BOKO HARAM,
ELECTORAL REFORM, PFIZER
Classified By: Political Counselor James McAnulty for reasons 1.4. (b &
d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L ABUJA 001435
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR AF/W, INR/AA
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/31/2017
TAGS: PREL PGOV NI
SUBJECT: NIGERIA: YAKUBU GOWON DISCUSSES BOKO HARAM,
ELECTORAL REFORM, PFIZER
Classified By: Political Counselor James McAnulty for reasons 1.4. (b &
d).
1. (C) Ambassador, DCM and Poloff met with former Head of
State (1966-75) Yakubu Gowon July 31 to discuss Boko Haram
violence, pharmaceutical testing and electoral reform.
Ambassador thanked General Gowon for his role in settling the
case between Pfizer pharmaceutical company and Kano State
over testing of the experimental drug Trovan during a 1996
meningitis outbreak. (Note: A U.S. $75 million settlement
was announced the day before. End note.) Gowon expressed
satisfaction with the outcome and commented that "There is
always an element of risk which has to be accepted" in the
testing of new drugs.
2. (C) Gowon lamented the recent violence in the north
provoked by Boko Haram as "a disturbing repeat of the 1980
Maitatsine uprising." (Note: In December 1980, a disaffected,
anti-establishment group led by radical Muslim preacher
Mohammed Marwa Maitatsine provoked religious riots and
clashes with police and military that resulted in over 1000
deaths. End note.) "It's a pity, particularly so soon after
Jos," Gowon continued, referring to December 2008 riots in
Plateau state. Gowon, who was unaware of the summary
execution of Boko Haram leader Mohammed Yusuf by police the
night before, expressed an understanding of police anger when
informed of the killing. The Ambassador pointed out that
extrajudicial killings do not conform to the President's
stated respect for the rule of law, and Gowon agreed.
3. (C) On electoral reform, Gowon noted his participation in
an election monitoring team in Ghana and expressed his belief
that things will change in Nigeria, given that "everyone
condemns the status quo except INEC," (the Independent
National Electoral Commission.) Ambassador asked if he had
been at the Council of State meeting at which the Uwais
report of the Electoral Reform Commission (ERC) was
considered, and where he stood on the matter. Gowon
responded affirmatively, opining that "INEC should be
independent, not appointed or controlled by the government."
He endorsed multiday elections, and felt the GON should not
send "instructions or advice" on the disqualification of
candidates, as it has done in the past. Nevertheless, he
recognized that constitutional considerations complicated
reform.
4. (C) Ambassador expressed appreciation for General Gowon's
constructive comments regarding the President's visit to
Ghana, namely that Nigerians should not be jealous of the
visit, but use it as motivation to transform the country into
a first choice destination for future Presidential visits.
Ambassador said she had recounted his comments in an
interview, stressing that the focus should be on the message,
not the venue.
SANDERS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR AF/W, INR/AA
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/31/2017
TAGS: PREL PGOV NI
SUBJECT: NIGERIA: YAKUBU GOWON DISCUSSES BOKO HARAM,
ELECTORAL REFORM, PFIZER
Classified By: Political Counselor James McAnulty for reasons 1.4. (b &
d).
1. (C) Ambassador, DCM and Poloff met with former Head of
State (1966-75) Yakubu Gowon July 31 to discuss Boko Haram
violence, pharmaceutical testing and electoral reform.
Ambassador thanked General Gowon for his role in settling the
case between Pfizer pharmaceutical company and Kano State
over testing of the experimental drug Trovan during a 1996
meningitis outbreak. (Note: A U.S. $75 million settlement
was announced the day before. End note.) Gowon expressed
satisfaction with the outcome and commented that "There is
always an element of risk which has to be accepted" in the
testing of new drugs.
2. (C) Gowon lamented the recent violence in the north
provoked by Boko Haram as "a disturbing repeat of the 1980
Maitatsine uprising." (Note: In December 1980, a disaffected,
anti-establishment group led by radical Muslim preacher
Mohammed Marwa Maitatsine provoked religious riots and
clashes with police and military that resulted in over 1000
deaths. End note.) "It's a pity, particularly so soon after
Jos," Gowon continued, referring to December 2008 riots in
Plateau state. Gowon, who was unaware of the summary
execution of Boko Haram leader Mohammed Yusuf by police the
night before, expressed an understanding of police anger when
informed of the killing. The Ambassador pointed out that
extrajudicial killings do not conform to the President's
stated respect for the rule of law, and Gowon agreed.
3. (C) On electoral reform, Gowon noted his participation in
an election monitoring team in Ghana and expressed his belief
that things will change in Nigeria, given that "everyone
condemns the status quo except INEC," (the Independent
National Electoral Commission.) Ambassador asked if he had
been at the Council of State meeting at which the Uwais
report of the Electoral Reform Commission (ERC) was
considered, and where he stood on the matter. Gowon
responded affirmatively, opining that "INEC should be
independent, not appointed or controlled by the government."
He endorsed multiday elections, and felt the GON should not
send "instructions or advice" on the disqualification of
candidates, as it has done in the past. Nevertheless, he
recognized that constitutional considerations complicated
reform.
4. (C) Ambassador expressed appreciation for General Gowon's
constructive comments regarding the President's visit to
Ghana, namely that Nigerians should not be jealous of the
visit, but use it as motivation to transform the country into
a first choice destination for future Presidential visits.
Ambassador said she had recounted his comments in an
interview, stressing that the focus should be on the message,
not the venue.
SANDERS