FORMER HEAD OF STATE BABANGIDA FOLLOWS UP ON

C O N F I D E N T I A L ABUJA 001876 SIPDIS STATE FOR AF/FO, AF/W, AF/RSA, DRL, INR/AA; E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/29/2010 TAGS: PGOV PREL PINR EPET NI SUBJECT: FORMER HEAD OF STATE BABANGIDA FOLLOWS UP ON SECSTATE VISIT; ADVOCATES GREATER OUTREACH TO CIVIL SOCIETY Classified By: Political Counselor James P. McAnulty for reasons in Sections 1.4 (B) and (D) -------------- SUMMARY -------------- ¶1. (C) Former Nigerian Head of State Ibrahim Babangida, noting his desire to follow up on the Secretary's August 2009 visit, advocated greater outreach to civil society as a complement to the work of the Binational Commission (BNC). He suggested that shaping Nigerian public opinion would help to push the Nigerian Government (GON) to implement needed reforms on good governance, transparency, and elections. He offered to serve as an ad hoc conduit for messages to President Yar'Adua, particularly when we suspect that communications through the Foreign Minister have not gotten through. Babangida advocated greater internal democracy in the ruling party and supported passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB). END SUMMARY. -------------- IBB: REACH OUT TO CIVIL SOCIETY -------------- ¶2. (C) During a recent meeting with Ambassador, former Head of State Ibrahim Babangida Badamasi (popularly known as "IBB" and who ruled Nigeria from 1985 to 1993) agreed with the idea of establishing a strategic dialogue with the GON through the BNC. He suggested reaching out more broadly to civil society in Nigeria to nudge the GON towards greater transparency and good governance, with such outreach complementing the BNC's important work. IBB remarked that he agreed with the messages communicated by the Secretary at her private meeting in August with political elites (which IBB attended) and at the public Town Hall meeting. According to the former head of state, the Secretary's remarks continued to resonate in Nigerian circles. ¶3. (C) Babangida emphasized the importance of leaders shaping public opinion well before implementing major changes in policies, particularly those that involve sacrifice by ordinary citizens. He recounted that he had conducted a six-month campaign to prepare Nigerians for the removal of subsidies on fuel. As part of the campaign, his government had demonstrated that, because of irrational subsidies, bottled water had become less expensive than an equal quantity of diesel fuel. -------------- IBB WILLING TO SERVE AS INFORMAL CONDUIT 
 -------------- ¶4. (C) Babangida, who continues to wield behind-the-scenes influence in political circles, offered to serve as a special, "ad hoc" communications channel to President Yar'Adua on the BNC and other issues, particularly when we suspect that our messages to Foreign Minister Ojo Maduekwe have not reached the President and his inner circle. He agreed that the Secretary of the Government of the Federation would be a more effective overall point of contact for BNC issues than the Foreign Minister. -------------- NIGER DELTA AMNESTY NEEDS RADICAL CHANGE -------------- ¶5. (C) IBB predicted that amnesty, as currently designed, would not produce a lasting resolution of the current Niger Qwould not produce a lasting resolution of the current Niger Delta crisis. Past amnesties, he explained, only lasted a few years, after which new militants took the places of old ones. The administration would need to produce a "radical" change to the plan for it to succeed. What is really needed is government investment in infrastructure, including providing solid ground on which to build schools, roads and other structures, particularly in Bayelsa State. -------------- PETROLEUM INDUSTRY BILL -------------- ¶6. (C) Babangida claimed to favor the proposed PIB as a logical outgrowth of one that he had enacted in 1991, which, he said, included provisions for sharing three percent of oil revenues with Niger Delta communities. He lamented that the original statute never gained proper implementation and "sank" from sight. Therefore, in part for selfish reasons, he expressed hope that the National Assembly would enact the PIB in its proposed form. IBB said the GON should publicize PIB provisions to generate greater public support. He also warned that authorities should avoid past mistakes in implementation, as when officials allocated Niger Delta funds to "stupid" projects that lacked sustainability. As an example, he mentioned the purchase of generators for small communities without providing instructions on maintenance or access to fuel. Such generators fell into disuse and disrepair within a few months. -------------- NEED FOR INTERNAL REFORM IN RULING PARTY -------------- ¶7. (C) IBB remarked that the ruling Peoples' Democratic Party (PDP) badly needed reform to promote greater internal democracy. He denied rumors of any interest in leaving the PDP to help form a "mega" party comprised of several current opposition parties, preferring instead to work from within. He often referred to party reformers and himself as "we" in describing their activities. He opposed the election of Prince Vincent Ogbulafor as PDP National Chairperson over former Senate President Pius Anyim (IBB's reputed candidate) and Education Minister Sam Egwu, but conceded that Ogbulafor had enjoyed broad support from PDP Governors, who viewed him as more likely to give them free reign within the party. Babangida said he supported the idea of requiring party members to work within their local and state constituencies to earn their party nominations rather, than appealing to party officials in Abuja, as currently done. -------------- PREFERENCE FOR REGIONAL PARTIES -------------- ¶8. (C) Babangida decried the multiplicity of parties in Nigeria (which currently number about 50). He would prefer to see a smaller number, with five about optimum. IBB remarked that regional parties could play a more effective role in Nigerian politics. Currently, the PDP wielded overwhelming power, with even credible opposition candidates seeking to join after electoral defeats to gain better access to power. -------------- LAGOS STATE GOVERNOR -------------- ¶9. (C) IBB lauded the work of current Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola of the opposition Action Congress (AC) Party, whom he described as building an excellent reputation because of efforts to improve living conditions in the state, particularly Lagos city. He suggested that Fashola deserved elevation to the national level to better use his leadership skills. -------------- BIOGRAPHIC NOTES -------------- ¶10. (SBU) Babangida's wife remains in Los Angeles, while Q10. (SBU) Babangida's wife remains in Los Angeles, while undergoing medical treatment for cancer. The former head of state now lives in his home town of Minna, Niger State, which he described as "safer," given (unspecified) threats in Abuja. -------------- COMMENT -------------- ¶11. (C) Babangida's suggestion on greater outreach to civil society dovetails nicely with U.S. strategy and objectives in promoting good governance and transparency. While linking such outreach directly to BNC meetings would be inappropriate, serious consideration should be given to arranging a parallel event, as has occurred during some African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) Ministerial meetings. END COMMENT. SANDERS