AMBASSADOR MEETS NIGERIAN VICE PRESIDENT TO

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ABUJA 002252 SIPDIS STATE FOR AF/FO, AF/W, AF/RSA, DRL, INR/AA; E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/14/2019 TAGS: PGOV PREL PINR OVIP NI SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR MEETS NIGERIAN VICE PRESIDENT TO EXPRESS IMPORTANCE OF CONSTITUTION AND RULE OF LAW REF: A. ABUJA 2225 ¶B. ABUJA 2223 ¶C. ABUJA 2199 Classified By: Ambassador Robin Renee Sanders for reasons in Sections 1.4 (b) and (d). -------------- SUMMARY -------------- ¶1. (C) On December 10, Ambassador met with Vice President Goodluck Jonathan to note USG messages on following constitutional processes and rule of law in Nigeria's uncertain political environment. She also expressed good wishes for President Yar'Adua's speedy recovery. A relaxed Jonathan asserted he had no worries about a military coup, and explained that he had administrative authority in charge of government at this time. Jonathan also affirmed his support for the Binational Commission and the US-UK electoral assessment team, and made points on political reform and corruption. Ambassador expressed hope that Nigeria and the US could find more common ground on UNSC votes, and mentioned the possibility of a call from Assistant Secretary Carson. END SUMMARY. ¶2. (SBU) Ambassador, DCM, and Poloff (note-taker) met for 30 minutes with Vice President (VP) Goodluck Jonathan at his office on December 10. Ambassador encouraged support for Nigeria's Constitution, constitutional processes, and the rule of law, and also delivered a U.S. Mission letter expressing best wishes for the speedy recovery of the President. The Vice President expressed his appreciation for U.S. concern and support to Nigeria. Ambassador mentioned that she had met with President Yar'Adua's mother in Katsina earlier in the week to also express concern on the president's health. ¶3. (C) The Vice President thanked Ambassador for her good wishes and in particular her consideration in visiting Yar'Adua's mother. Asked how President Yar'Adua was doing, Jonathan replied that he was still under the care of his doctors and that he hoped the President would return over the next several weeks. Jonathan added that the GON policy at this time was not to speculate on the President's health, but wait for official statements that would be issued at the appropriate time, similar to the one issued at the end of the December 8 cabinet meeting. As for speculation in the press about the current and unique political situation, he remarked that "if you follow our media, you can appreciate the concerns and challenges we are faced with." The Vice President clarified that he was not currently "acting president," as that status required a letter from the President to the National Assembly granting such status. He insisted that lack of such a document in no way hampered his ability to manage the administrative affairs of government, while noting his current capacity did not include certain powers, such as administering the oath of office to ministers, military leaders, or "calling out troops." ¶4. (C) Asked if he had concerns about military intervention, the VP lauded the professionalism of the Nigerian armed forces and professed little concern about a coup. "I have no fears that the military will exploit the current political situation," he proclaimed. He also observed that Nigeria "has been in the forefront of sanctioning other countries which have had coups." Though he could not be "one hundred Qwhich have had coups." Though he could not be "one hundred percent certain" that there would be no coup, as this can never be ruled out, he highly doubted it. ¶5. (C) Jonathan reaffirmed his commitment to political and electoral reform, commenting that "an election is not supposed to be a coup" and that people "should be happy at the end." Citing the February 2010 Anambra gubernatorial election as a test case, he said he was pleased that the U.S. and U.K. planned to send an electoral assessment team to improve the process. Since the Vice President relayed that he was on his way to a meeting of the People's Democratic Party (PDP) National Executive Committee (NEC),the Ambassador asked if he planned to brief the NEC on the electoral assessment team visit. He felt that the NEC ABUJA 00002252 002 OF 002 meeting was "too large" a forum to discuss the matter and remarked, "I don't want too many comments" when the subject is discussed. Nevertheless, Jonathan promised to personally brief the PDP National Chairman and Board of Trustees on the proposed assessment team sometime next week. ¶6. (C) Regarding corruption, the Vice President admitted that "we have challenges, there's no doubt about it." He maintained that the GON was quite serious about improving its anti-corruption fight, and noted with pleasure that the USG was once again having conversations with the leadership of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). He claimed to understand U.S. concerns regarding money spent on capacity building and training for EFCC staff later transferred out of the EFCC. The Vice President then commented that, "If one steals public funds but keeps them in the country, it was not as bad as if you take them out of the country." Looted funds taken to Switzerland or elsewhere, he continued, ended up having no impact on the development of the country or citizenry, unlike funds kept in Nigerian banks which could be loaned out to people. He termed the export of stolen public funds a "double disaster . . . a double tragedy." (NOTE: Jonathan's "interesting" views on corruption clearly show that he has kept his past illicit enrichment from public funds when he was Governor of Bayelsa in the country. Clearly this kind of thinking does not bode well for someone who may end up in the Presidential office. END NOTE.) ¶7. (C) The Vice President related how the Foreign Minister had briefed him on the proposed U.S.-Nigerian Binational Commission (BNC),and he fully supported the BNC idea. Ambassador explained Washington was still working on a date to arrange for a signing ceremony soon. Jonathan noted the tremendous cost to Nigeria in funding and personnel for United Nations (UN) peacekeeping operations, and expressed thanks for U.S. support of its election to the UN Security Council. The Ambassador took this opening to note that the USG would like to see our friends like Nigeria vote with us more often on UN resolutions, noting in particular differences of opinion on recent key votes. -------------- COMMENT -------------- ¶8. (C) Jonathan appeared relaxed and had been briefed, he noted, by Foreign Minister Madeuwke on key bilateral issues. He did not act as if he had the weight of the world on his shoulders, and was accompanied only by his Principal Private Sec. Mike Oghiadomhe, Villa Foreign Policy Advisor Ambassador Hart, and a note-taker. As he outlined his schedule over the next two days in the context of facilitating a telephone conversation with AF Assistant Sec. Carson, his schedule seemed to focus on political meetings instead of administering the executive branch. Clearly Jonathan is under watchful eyes and seemed unsure of himself in some areas. We had heard that prior to President Yar'Adua's traveling to Saudi Arabia, Jonathan was not given the authority to run the daily duties of the government nor had any power been transferred to him. In addition, businessman Dangote (ref C) said that Yar'adua had not spoken Qbusinessman Dangote (ref C) said that Yar'adua had not spoken to Jonathan in months, and all major decisions of government would be done on a consensus basis at the Federal Executive Council, or Cabinet. We can expect the Vice President to become more visible on administrative matters in an effort to quell concerns that the country is adrift, particularly as it appears that Yar'Adua's return to Nigeria could be a long way off, if he continues to survive. SANDERS