Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09ABUJA514
2009-03-25 16:02:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Abuja
Cable title:
NIGERIA: PDP BACKING PRESIDENT FOR SECOND TERM
how-toVZCZCXRO9607 PP RUEHPA DE RUEHUJA #0514 0841602 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 251602Z MAR 09 FM AMEMBASSY ABUJA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 5591 INFO RUEHOS/AMCONSUL LAGOS PRIORITY 1018 RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE RUEHGB/AMEMBASSY BAGHDAD 0143 RUEHSA/AMEMBASSY PRETORIA 1763 RUEHYD/AMEMBASSY YAOUNDE 0723 RHMFISS/HQ USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE RHEBAAA/DEPT OF ENERGY WASHDC RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC RHEHNSC/NSC WASHINGTON DC RUEKJCS/DIA WASHINGTON DC RHMFISS/HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE RUZEJAA/JAC MOLESWORTH RAF MOLESWORTH UK
C O N F I D E N T I A L ABUJA 000514
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR AF/W, INR/AA
BAGHDAD FOR DMCCULLOUGH
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/10/2019
TAGS: PGOV PREL KDEM NI
SUBJECT: NIGERIA: PDP BACKING PRESIDENT FOR SECOND TERM
REF: A. ABUJA 482
B. ABUJA 481
Classified By: Political Counselor Walter N.S. Pflaumer for reasons 1.4
(b) and (d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L ABUJA 000514
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR AF/W, INR/AA
BAGHDAD FOR DMCCULLOUGH
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/10/2019
TAGS: PGOV PREL KDEM NI
SUBJECT: NIGERIA: PDP BACKING PRESIDENT FOR SECOND TERM
REF: A. ABUJA 482
B. ABUJA 481
Classified By: Political Counselor Walter N.S. Pflaumer for reasons 1.4
(b) and (d)
1. (SBU) Ruling Peoples' Democratic Party (PDP) Deputy
National Chairman Haliru Bello Mohammed told press on March
24 in Abuja that the party leadership will reserve the 2011
presidential ticket for current President Yar'Adua. Bello
Mohammed explained that the President's seven point agenda
(the program he announced at his 2007 inauguration) could not
be implemented in a single four-year term. He stressed,
however, that other party tickets, including in particular
those for governors, are up for grabs. Also on March 24, PDP
National Chairman Prince Vincent Ogbulafor told members of
the House of Representatives at a meeting at the party's
National Secretariat in Abuja that the party leadership is
displeased with the high turnover rate of PDP senators and
representatives in the National Assembly (NASS),noting that
the trend must change. There was speculation that his
statement meant that sitting PDP legislators would be
guaranteed renomination "tickets" by the party, although this
was not clearly stated.
2. (C) Maurice Ekpenyong (strictly protect),Special
Assistant to House Speaker Dimeji Bankole, told POLOFF on
March 25 that the PDP statements were part of the
behind-the-scenes maneuvering in preparation for 2011
elections (see reftels). Ekpenyong maintained that each
level of politician is trying to protect his own interest --
president, governors, and NASS members. Ekpenyong said
senior PDP leadership confirmed that "automatic tickets" were
not promised because of public commitments to rule of law and
strengthening internal democracy; however, he told POLOFF the
PDP is using other means to ensure re-election for those in
office. For example, he cited the dropping of the
recommendations (from the Electoral Reform Committee) that
the Chairman and most of the members of the Independent
National Electoral Commission (INEC) be chosen by the
National Judicial Council rather than the President, and that
the State Independent Electoral Commissions (SIECs -- which
are now chosen by the Governors) be abolished. Ekpenyong
maintained that presidential appointment of the INEC Chair
assures the President's re-election and the continued
existence of SIECs gives the governors a similar assurance.
3. (C) Comment: As reported in reftels, Nigeria's politicos
are definitely involved in pre- 2011 election politicking,
with the clear goal for those in office of remaining in
office. Despite concerns about Yar'Adua's health and the
general lethargy of his administration, it appears those
close to him see the importance of maintaining at least the
possibility that he will remain in office -- if only to
prevent the appearance that the administration is already a
lame duck. End Comment.
4. (U) This cable was coordinated with Consulate Lagos.
SANDERS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR AF/W, INR/AA
BAGHDAD FOR DMCCULLOUGH
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/10/2019
TAGS: PGOV PREL KDEM NI
SUBJECT: NIGERIA: PDP BACKING PRESIDENT FOR SECOND TERM
REF: A. ABUJA 482
B. ABUJA 481
Classified By: Political Counselor Walter N.S. Pflaumer for reasons 1.4
(b) and (d)
1. (SBU) Ruling Peoples' Democratic Party (PDP) Deputy
National Chairman Haliru Bello Mohammed told press on March
24 in Abuja that the party leadership will reserve the 2011
presidential ticket for current President Yar'Adua. Bello
Mohammed explained that the President's seven point agenda
(the program he announced at his 2007 inauguration) could not
be implemented in a single four-year term. He stressed,
however, that other party tickets, including in particular
those for governors, are up for grabs. Also on March 24, PDP
National Chairman Prince Vincent Ogbulafor told members of
the House of Representatives at a meeting at the party's
National Secretariat in Abuja that the party leadership is
displeased with the high turnover rate of PDP senators and
representatives in the National Assembly (NASS),noting that
the trend must change. There was speculation that his
statement meant that sitting PDP legislators would be
guaranteed renomination "tickets" by the party, although this
was not clearly stated.
2. (C) Maurice Ekpenyong (strictly protect),Special
Assistant to House Speaker Dimeji Bankole, told POLOFF on
March 25 that the PDP statements were part of the
behind-the-scenes maneuvering in preparation for 2011
elections (see reftels). Ekpenyong maintained that each
level of politician is trying to protect his own interest --
president, governors, and NASS members. Ekpenyong said
senior PDP leadership confirmed that "automatic tickets" were
not promised because of public commitments to rule of law and
strengthening internal democracy; however, he told POLOFF the
PDP is using other means to ensure re-election for those in
office. For example, he cited the dropping of the
recommendations (from the Electoral Reform Committee) that
the Chairman and most of the members of the Independent
National Electoral Commission (INEC) be chosen by the
National Judicial Council rather than the President, and that
the State Independent Electoral Commissions (SIECs -- which
are now chosen by the Governors) be abolished. Ekpenyong
maintained that presidential appointment of the INEC Chair
assures the President's re-election and the continued
existence of SIECs gives the governors a similar assurance.
3. (C) Comment: As reported in reftels, Nigeria's politicos
are definitely involved in pre- 2011 election politicking,
with the clear goal for those in office of remaining in
office. Despite concerns about Yar'Adua's health and the
general lethargy of his administration, it appears those
close to him see the importance of maintaining at least the
possibility that he will remain in office -- if only to
prevent the appearance that the administration is already a
lame duck. End Comment.
4. (U) This cable was coordinated with Consulate Lagos.
SANDERS