Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09ABUJA1945
2009-10-23 14:22:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Abuja
Cable title:
VILLA INSIDER ON HIS BOSS'S HEALTH, NIGER DELTA,
how-toVZCZCXRO8371 PP RUEHBZ RUEHDU RUEHMR RUEHPA RUEHRN RUEHTRO DE RUEHUJA #1945/01 2961422 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 231422Z OCT 09 FM AMEMBASSY ABUJA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 7302 INFO RUEHZO/AFRICAN UNION COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEHOS/AMCONSUL LAGOS PRIORITY 2148 RHMFISS/HQ USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE PRIORITY RHEBAAA/DEPT OF ENERGY WASHDC PRIORITY RHEHNSC/NSC WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RUEKDIA/DIA WASHDC PRIORITY RHMFISS/HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE PRIORITY RUZEJAA/JAC MOLESWORTH RAF MOLESWORTH UK PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ABUJA 001945
SIPDIS
STATE FOR AF/FO, AF/W, AF/RSA, DRL, INR/AA;
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/14/2019
TAGS: PGOV PREL NI
SUBJECT: VILLA INSIDER ON HIS BOSS'S HEALTH, NIGER DELTA,
AND OTHER ISSUES
REF: ABUJA 1916
Classified By: Political Counselor James P. McAnulty
for reasons in Sections 1.4 (B) and (D)
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ABUJA 001945
SIPDIS
STATE FOR AF/FO, AF/W, AF/RSA, DRL, INR/AA;
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/14/2019
TAGS: PGOV PREL NI
SUBJECT: VILLA INSIDER ON HIS BOSS'S HEALTH, NIGER DELTA,
AND OTHER ISSUES
REF: ABUJA 1916
Classified By: Political Counselor James P. McAnulty
for reasons in Sections 1.4 (B) and (D)
1. (C) SUMMARY: A presidential insider says his boss focused
on the Niger Delta after he realized it undermines his
administration's top priorities. He confirmed that Yar'Adua
traveled to Saudi Arabia in September for medical treatment,
adding that the head of state suffers from lupus. END
SUMMARY.
--------------
PRESIDENT PERSONALLY ENGAGED ON NIGER DELTA
--------------
2. (C) Presidential Economic Advisor Sani Musa recently told
us that President Yar'Adua decided to focus on the Niger
Delta after he realized that stability there affects five of
the seven agenda points in his campaign platform agenda.
Specifically, he noted, insecurity in the delta undercuts
energy generation, economic development, and job creation.
Yar'Adua, he said, also recognized that the Niger Delta
Development Corporation (NDDC) had done little for local
communities. While he could not dismantle NDDC for political
reasons, he decided to create the Ministry of the Niger Delta
to promote development more effectively.
3. (C) Musa claimed that Yar'Adua skipped the United Nations
General Assembly (UNGA),in part, because he wanted to be
closer to Nigeria during the critical end phase of the Niger
Delta amnesty program. He insisted on being available to
receive all major militants who sought to meet with him to
accept amnesty.
--------------
BILATERAL RELATIONS
--------------
4. (C) Musa rejected any perception that Yar'Adua's failure
to travel to New York for the UNGA represented an intentional
snub against anyone. According to Musa, Yar'Adua personally
assured him of the importance he attached to U.S.-Nigerian
relations and his desire for greater communication and
engagement.
--------------
PRESIDENT'S HEALTH
--------------
5. (C) Musa confirmed that Yar'Adua traveled to Saudi Arabia
in mid September for medical treatment, and stated that
Yar'Adua suffers from lupus -- "not necessarily what is
reported by the media." He said treatment kept the condition
in check but could not provide a cure. While Yar'Adua has
good days and bad days, Musa claimed that his overall health
had improved during the past several months.
--------------
JUSTICE MINISTER POSSIBLY OUT BY DECEMBER
--------------
6. (C) Musa said Yar'Adua had become aware of corrupt
activities by certain Cabinet members, including Justice
Minister Michael Aondoakaa. Claiming that Yar'Adua did not
know Aondoakaa before his appointment, Yar'Adua subsequently
received evidence of his wrongdoing, including bribe taking,
and would sack Aondoakaa by December (reftel).
--------------
YAR'ADUA WANTS ELECTORAL REFORM
--------------
7. (C) Musa maintained that Yar'Adua genuinely wants
electoral reform, recalling that he had acknowledged in his
inaugural address the "flawed" process that brought him to
power. Yar'Adua, he said, became frustrated at the Justice
Qpower. Yar'Adua, he said, became frustrated at the Justice
Minister's efforts to block key recommendations, including
the more transparent selection of the Independent National
ABUJA 00001945 002 OF 002
Electoral Commission chairperson. While dominated by the
ruling People's Democratic Party, Musa claimed the National
Assembly also thwarted the President's proposals on electoral
reform. He accused legislators of demanding bribes before
they would enact this legislation.
--------------
SACKING OF INTELLIGENCE CHIEF
--------------
8. (C) Musa confirmed press reports that Yar'Adua sacked
Nigeria Intelligence Agency (NIA) Director General Ambassador
Tony Imohe for colluding with Foreign Ministry Permanent
Secretary Joe Keshi in instructing Nigerian foreign missions
to deny consular services to self-imposed exiles Nasir
El-Rufai and Nuhu Ribadu. Yar'Adua, he said, became angry,
noting that even Nigeria's military regimes had never
withdrawn the rights of Nigerians to consular services and
passports.
--------------
COMMENT
--------------
9. (C) While very much a loyalist defense of Yar'Adua, the
references to venality among ministers, and especially the
much derided justice minister, and the National Assembly are
worth noting. This is the first time we have heard that
Yar'Adua's ailments include lupus.
SANDERS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR AF/FO, AF/W, AF/RSA, DRL, INR/AA;
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/14/2019
TAGS: PGOV PREL NI
SUBJECT: VILLA INSIDER ON HIS BOSS'S HEALTH, NIGER DELTA,
AND OTHER ISSUES
REF: ABUJA 1916
Classified By: Political Counselor James P. McAnulty
for reasons in Sections 1.4 (B) and (D)
1. (C) SUMMARY: A presidential insider says his boss focused
on the Niger Delta after he realized it undermines his
administration's top priorities. He confirmed that Yar'Adua
traveled to Saudi Arabia in September for medical treatment,
adding that the head of state suffers from lupus. END
SUMMARY.
--------------
PRESIDENT PERSONALLY ENGAGED ON NIGER DELTA
--------------
2. (C) Presidential Economic Advisor Sani Musa recently told
us that President Yar'Adua decided to focus on the Niger
Delta after he realized that stability there affects five of
the seven agenda points in his campaign platform agenda.
Specifically, he noted, insecurity in the delta undercuts
energy generation, economic development, and job creation.
Yar'Adua, he said, also recognized that the Niger Delta
Development Corporation (NDDC) had done little for local
communities. While he could not dismantle NDDC for political
reasons, he decided to create the Ministry of the Niger Delta
to promote development more effectively.
3. (C) Musa claimed that Yar'Adua skipped the United Nations
General Assembly (UNGA),in part, because he wanted to be
closer to Nigeria during the critical end phase of the Niger
Delta amnesty program. He insisted on being available to
receive all major militants who sought to meet with him to
accept amnesty.
--------------
BILATERAL RELATIONS
--------------
4. (C) Musa rejected any perception that Yar'Adua's failure
to travel to New York for the UNGA represented an intentional
snub against anyone. According to Musa, Yar'Adua personally
assured him of the importance he attached to U.S.-Nigerian
relations and his desire for greater communication and
engagement.
--------------
PRESIDENT'S HEALTH
--------------
5. (C) Musa confirmed that Yar'Adua traveled to Saudi Arabia
in mid September for medical treatment, and stated that
Yar'Adua suffers from lupus -- "not necessarily what is
reported by the media." He said treatment kept the condition
in check but could not provide a cure. While Yar'Adua has
good days and bad days, Musa claimed that his overall health
had improved during the past several months.
--------------
JUSTICE MINISTER POSSIBLY OUT BY DECEMBER
--------------
6. (C) Musa said Yar'Adua had become aware of corrupt
activities by certain Cabinet members, including Justice
Minister Michael Aondoakaa. Claiming that Yar'Adua did not
know Aondoakaa before his appointment, Yar'Adua subsequently
received evidence of his wrongdoing, including bribe taking,
and would sack Aondoakaa by December (reftel).
--------------
YAR'ADUA WANTS ELECTORAL REFORM
--------------
7. (C) Musa maintained that Yar'Adua genuinely wants
electoral reform, recalling that he had acknowledged in his
inaugural address the "flawed" process that brought him to
power. Yar'Adua, he said, became frustrated at the Justice
Qpower. Yar'Adua, he said, became frustrated at the Justice
Minister's efforts to block key recommendations, including
the more transparent selection of the Independent National
ABUJA 00001945 002 OF 002
Electoral Commission chairperson. While dominated by the
ruling People's Democratic Party, Musa claimed the National
Assembly also thwarted the President's proposals on electoral
reform. He accused legislators of demanding bribes before
they would enact this legislation.
--------------
SACKING OF INTELLIGENCE CHIEF
--------------
8. (C) Musa confirmed press reports that Yar'Adua sacked
Nigeria Intelligence Agency (NIA) Director General Ambassador
Tony Imohe for colluding with Foreign Ministry Permanent
Secretary Joe Keshi in instructing Nigerian foreign missions
to deny consular services to self-imposed exiles Nasir
El-Rufai and Nuhu Ribadu. Yar'Adua, he said, became angry,
noting that even Nigeria's military regimes had never
withdrawn the rights of Nigerians to consular services and
passports.
--------------
COMMENT
--------------
9. (C) While very much a loyalist defense of Yar'Adua, the
references to venality among ministers, and especially the
much derided justice minister, and the National Assembly are
worth noting. This is the first time we have heard that
Yar'Adua's ailments include lupus.
SANDERS