NIGERIA: GARBAI NAMED NEW SHEHU OF BORNO

C O N F I D E N T I A L ABUJA 000384 SIPDIS DEPT FOR AF/W, INR/AA BAGHDAD FOR DMCCULLOUGH E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/03/2019 TAGS: PGOV PREL NI SUBJECT: NIGERIA: GARBAI NAMED NEW SHEHU OF BORNO REF: ABUJA 345 Classified By: Political Counselor Walter N.S. Pflaumer for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (U) On March 2 Kyari Shehu Umar Garbai was named the 20th Shehu of Borno by Borno State Governor Ali Modu Sheriff. As reported in 'This Day' newspaper, Governor Sheriff justified his choice with Garbai's academic qualifications. 'This Day' reported increased security in the state capital Maiduguri due to tensions which built during the delay in naming of the new leader and following protests during the burial of the late Shehu. As of March 3, the situation in Borno remained peaceful, with no sign of the unrest. ¶2. (U) Garbai was born in 1957 in Yobe State. He is the son of the 17th Shehu of Borno. He studied local government administration at Ahmadu Bello University and went on to receive his Masters in International Relations and Public Administration at the University of Maiduguri. He was appointed the district head of Magumeri in December 2008. ¶3. (C) Comment: The unrest we had expected if Garbai were selected has not so far materialized. We will continue to monitor the situation in Borno closely, however, as violence can erupt quickly. We note that the traditional leadership in Northern Nigeria seems to be in the midst of a generational shift. The Sultan of Sokoto and the new Shehu of Borno are ranked first and second in Northern Nigeria royalty. Both are educated men in their fifties. Given the age of the Emir of Kano it is likely that we will soon see another middle-aged and highly educated leader emerge. End Comment. ¶4. (U) This cable was coordinated with Consulate Lagos. SANDERS