Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09ABUJA506
2009-03-24 16:40:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Abuja
Cable title:
NIGERIA: PRESS DEBATES INEC CHAIRMAN'S TENURE
how-toVZCZCXRO8407 PP RUEHPA DE RUEHUJA #0506 0831640 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 241640Z MAR 09 FM AMEMBASSY ABUJA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 5583 INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE RUEHGB/AMEMBASSY BAGHDAD 0141 RUEHSA/AMEMBASSY PRETORIA 1761 RUEHYD/AMEMBASSY YAOUNDE 0722 RUEHOS/AMCONSUL LAGOS 1013 RHMFISS/HQ USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE RHEBAAA/DEPT OF ENERGY WASHDC RHEHNSC/NSC WASHINGTON DC RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC RUEKDIA/DIA WASHDC RHMFISS/HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE RUZEJAA/JAC MOLESWORTH RAF MOLESWORTH UK
C O N F I D E N T I A L ABUJA 000506
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR AF/W, INR/AA
BAGHDAD FOR DMCCULLOUGH
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/23/2019
TAGS: PGOV KDEM NI
SUBJECT: NIGERIA: PRESS DEBATES INEC CHAIRMAN'S TENURE
Classified By: Political Counselor Walter Pflaumer for reasons 1.4. (b
& d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L ABUJA 000506
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR AF/W, INR/AA
BAGHDAD FOR DMCCULLOUGH
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/23/2019
TAGS: PGOV KDEM NI
SUBJECT: NIGERIA: PRESS DEBATES INEC CHAIRMAN'S TENURE
Classified By: Political Counselor Walter Pflaumer for reasons 1.4. (b
& d).
1. (SBU) On March 23, Nigerian press quoted Lagos lawyer Femi
Falana as alleging that Independent National Electoral
Commission (INEC) Chairman Maurice Iwu's tenure expired in
August 2008. Falana based his allegation on the fact that
Iwu was appointed as a member of the Commission in August
2003, representing Imo State. (Note: Appointments to INEC
are made for a five year term.) Later on March 23, however,
the Chairman of the Senate Committee on INEC Isiaka Adeleke
contradicted this view. He pointed out that, while Iwu was
appointed a member of INEC in August 2003, he was later, in
June 2005, given a new appointment as INEC Chairman, was
again confirmed by the Senate, and sworn in on June 13, 2005.
According to Adeleke, this restarted the clock and Iwu's
tenure will expire only in June 2010.
2. (SBU) According to March 24 press reports, President
Yar'Adua has referred the question of the dates for Iwu's
tenure to the Attorney General for his legal advice.
3. (C) Comment: While the press and the lawyers may argue
over when Iwu's five year tenure actually started, we
question the relevance of the argument. If the GON wanted to
remove Iwu, there would be no shortage of legitimate ways to
do so. End comment.
SANDERS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR AF/W, INR/AA
BAGHDAD FOR DMCCULLOUGH
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/23/2019
TAGS: PGOV KDEM NI
SUBJECT: NIGERIA: PRESS DEBATES INEC CHAIRMAN'S TENURE
Classified By: Political Counselor Walter Pflaumer for reasons 1.4. (b
& d).
1. (SBU) On March 23, Nigerian press quoted Lagos lawyer Femi
Falana as alleging that Independent National Electoral
Commission (INEC) Chairman Maurice Iwu's tenure expired in
August 2008. Falana based his allegation on the fact that
Iwu was appointed as a member of the Commission in August
2003, representing Imo State. (Note: Appointments to INEC
are made for a five year term.) Later on March 23, however,
the Chairman of the Senate Committee on INEC Isiaka Adeleke
contradicted this view. He pointed out that, while Iwu was
appointed a member of INEC in August 2003, he was later, in
June 2005, given a new appointment as INEC Chairman, was
again confirmed by the Senate, and sworn in on June 13, 2005.
According to Adeleke, this restarted the clock and Iwu's
tenure will expire only in June 2010.
2. (SBU) According to March 24 press reports, President
Yar'Adua has referred the question of the dates for Iwu's
tenure to the Attorney General for his legal advice.
3. (C) Comment: While the press and the lawyers may argue
over when Iwu's five year tenure actually started, we
question the relevance of the argument. If the GON wanted to
remove Iwu, there would be no shortage of legitimate ways to
do so. End comment.
SANDERS