KANO GOVERNOR INSISTS HIS STATE HAS NO LINKS TO OUTSIDE

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 04 ABUJA 000105

SIPDIS
STATE FOR AF/FO, AF/W, AF/RSA, DRL, INR/AA
AMEMBASSY YAOUNDE PASS TO AMEMBASSY MALABO

E.O. 12958: DECL: 2020/01/27
TAGS: PGOV PREL PINR PTER SOCI NI
SUBJECT: KANO GOVERNOR INSISTS HIS STATE HAS NO LINKS TO OUTSIDE
EXTREMISTS

CLASSIFIED BY: James P. McAnulty, Political Counselor, U.S. Embassy
Abuja, Political Section; REASON: 1.4(B),(D)

--------------

SUMMARY

--------------




1. (C) Kano Governor Ibrahim Shekarau insisted to the Ambassador
during a January 21 meeting in Kano that the state had no
"linkages" to external terrorism or religious extremist groups. He
noted that the brigade based in Kano had deployed some of its
personnel to Jos in Plateau State to help control communal violence
there. He denied that his government had harassed the Kano-based
independent Freedom Radio station, but expressed concern over
transmission of what he described as "immoral" and profane content
during live broadcasts, noting that he has no interest in shutting
them down, but as an independent entity they would need to find
their own funding. Shekarau indicated that he had not ruled out
casting his name as a candidate for the 2011 election and
underscored his strong involvement in the "mega party" efforts
along with former 2007 presidential candidates, Mohammadu Buhari
and Atiku Abubakar. He expressed support for Vice President
Goodluck Jonathan serving as Acting President during Yar'Adua's
absence, noting that such action represented "common sense."
Separately Emir Ado Bayero noted widespread Muslim concern over
perceived U.S. classification of Nigeria as a "terrorist" country,
which the Ambassador immediately corrected. She explained the
"country of interest" designation and the need for Nigeria to
realize that it is not immune to outside threats. END SUMMARY.



--------------

NO EXTERNAL TERRORISM TIES IN KANO

--------------




2. (C) Kano Governor Shekarau agreed that working together and
sharing information was the best way to move past difficulties in
U.S.-Nigerian relations as a result of the "act of one disaffected
young Nigerian," during a January 21 meeting with the Ambassador
and PolMilOff (note taker) in Kano. Shekarau denied the existence
of any Kano-based "linkages" to Yemen or religious extremist
groups. He remarked that the state government had conducted a
thorough investigation and found no evidence of such ties in Kano
and regularly monitored speeches and remarks in the mosque to deter
any inflammatory comments that would increase tensions. He noted
that the government monitored Islamic schools via a Private School
Directorate within the state Education Ministry, which approved
curriculum, conducted regular inspections, and offered workshops to
headmasters and teachers on religious tolerance. He denied the
existence of any tension between Shiite and Sunni communities in
the state.



-------------- --------------

GOVERNOR DOWNPLAYS RISK OF VIOLENCE SPREADING TO KANO

-------------- --------------




3. (C) Shekarau confirmed that communal violence in Jos had not
spread to Kano, remarking that "we are committed to peace and have
not had any incident since 2004." As a precautionary measure, he
said he placed all security forces on alert and ordered military
trucks to drive around the city in a "show of force" to deter
unrest. The Governor noted that the Kano Military Brigade
Commander had informed him January 20 that the National Defense
Headquarters Division Commander based in Kaduna had ordered the
brigade to send reinforcements to Jos, which he did. The Governor
said he called an emergency meeting of Kano's "Shoah Council" -- a
forum of 50 Islamic scholars, imams, elders, and Muslim business
and political leaders -- which directed all mosques in Kano to

ABUJA 00000105 002 OF 004


avoid using provocative language during Friday prayers, in favor of
messages calling for peace and respect for the community,
regardless of faith. Shekarau insisted that the Shoah Council
recruited only "responsible imams," to avoid spreading the "wrong
message" to Kano's Islamic community.



--------------

NO HARASSMENT OF FREEDOM RADIO

--------------




4. (C) The Ambassador expressed concern over reports that state
government had harassed the independent Kano-based Freedom Radio
station. Shekarau denied the allegation, remarking that harassment
would not be possible, because state governments exercised no
control or influence over federal licensing agreements. He
acknowledged, however, that he had communicated "concerns" over
recent "immoral content that bothered him." Freedom Radio, he
charged, permitted the transmission of "offensive" and profane
language during live broadcasts. Government officials, he
insisted, had merely "advised them" that transmission of immoral
content was inappropriate and the government would no longer place
advertisements with the station. He added that he had written to
Freedom Radio and the National Broadcasting Agency several times
during the last year to note concern about what he called "the
immoral content of some broadcasts." Shekarau said that the State
Government, after detecting no change, decided not to place
advertisements with the station. In response to the Ambassador's
question as to whether the state government was trying to shut the
station down, the Governor said no, but that he did not feel like
government funds should be use to support something immoral. He
added that Freedom Radio, as an independent entity, is free to get
their funding from whoever but the state would not place
advertisements with it.



--------------

GOVERNOR CONSIDERING 2011 PRESIDENCY BID

--------------




5. (C) When asked whether he planned to run for the presidency in
2011, Shekarau chuckled and said his party (the All Nigeria
People's Party -- ANPP) would need to decide, but that he would not
rule out being a candidate. He confirmed his participation in the
umbrella, opposition activist group called the "mega party," and
said alliances were still being developed to identify a consensus
leader. (N.B.: The "mega party" will reportedly transform into an
official political party about January 30). Shekarau emphasized
that he would not switch parties from ANPP to the ruling People's
Democratic Party (PDP),as other Nigerian Governors have done
previously. Shekarau characterized such shifting of platforms
after election as "morally wrong," noting that if you want to
switch parties you should resign your position as a responsibility
to voters.



--------------

VICE PRESIDENT SHOULD BE IN CHARGE

--------------




6. (C) Shekarau lamented that Yar'Adua's prolonged absence had
dragged the country "to the point of uncertainty and confusion,"
adding that Nigeria's current political crisis could have all been
avoided if the Constitution had been respected. He underscored
that requiring a special letter from Yar'Adua to confer authorities

ABUJA 00000105 003 OF 004


on the Vice President would be silly. He supported Vice President
Jonathan, observing that his service as acting President only
represented "common sense." Shekarau noted that he relied on his
deputy to sign letters and give orders during his absences from
Kano. Yar'Adua should expect Jonathan to do this in his absence as
a matter of course. He characterized the actions of the ruling PDP
and its failures to effect promised reform as "embarrassing."



-------------- ---

EMIR EXPRESSES DISMAY OVER COUNTRY'S TSA LISTING

-------------- ---




7. (C) Kano Emir Bayero praised the strong bilateral relationship
and shared values between the U.S. and Nigeria, during a separate
January 21 meeting with the Ambassador and PolMilOff in Kano. He
lamented, however, what he called the recent action of the U.S. to
classify Nigeria as a "terrorist country." Insisting that Islam
did not support terrorism and that the actions of one Nigerian
should not taint the image of all, he expressed hope that the
Ambassador would do "all within her power" to remove Nigeria from
the U.S. list of "countries of interest." The Ambassador clarified
that the U.S. had not labeled Nigeria as a "terrorist" state, but
Nigeria was listed as a "country of interest," and that the two
countries needed to work together to address some challenges
connected to this listing. She explained that the incident of
December 25, 2009, should not be reduced by Nigeria as only an
issue of a disgruntled citizen, which she hears a lot, but that
there is the broader issue of working together to acknowledge that
terrorism threats and outside links with extremists exist here. No
country, she noted, is immune to this; neither is Nigeria. The
Ambassador emphasized that the U.S. is a partner with Nigeria and
willing to work together on these issues and aviation security.



--------------

BIOGRAPHIC NOTES

--------------




8. (C) Kano Governor Shekarau is one of the northern power brokers.
He is smart and has proven himself to be an able politician
wielding a fair amount of influence not only on northern politics
but within the Governor's Forum. He did not originally gain
acceptance as a favored son in the PDP and has worked hard to make
a name for himself in the opposition ANPP. Shekarau is also known
and criticized for his crafty methods of squashing any dissent
within his government; he rules the state with an iron hand. He is
also reportedly hand-picking his successor (since he cannot run
again for Governor),and is accused of using unscrupulous tactics,
including using state resources, to ensure that his choice for Kano
Governor wins in 2011. Kano is the largest state in the North and
reportedly the most populous state in Nigeria, although Lagos still
contests this distinction from the 2006 Census. END NOTE.



--------------

COMMENT

--------------




9. (C) The Kano Governor's willingness to share that he would not
rule out a run in 2011 as a candidate for president is new news.
He had not been seen as a national figure in the past, but, with
all the disarray in the North on leadership issues, we could see
his name a lot more. Kano is considered the true North in many
respects, and one of the centers of Islamic thought in the country.

ABUJA 00000105 004 OF 004


Other Governors, such as Bukola Saraki of Kwara, Isa Yuguda of
Bauchi, and Sule Lamido of Jigawa, have not shied away from letting
others know of their interest in the presidency. Shekarau until
now has not publicly indicated this interest. Clearly, he
indicated that the "mega party" -- if it truly transforms into a
political party -- is where his political aspiration for the
presidency might be nurtured. The current "mega party" umbrella
group, however, has several political heavyweights, including
former presidential candidates Muhammadu Buhari and Atiku Abubakar.
Therefore, arriving at a consensus candidate, in a group that has
no less than three major aspirants for the highest seat in the
land, may be difficult. END COMMENT.
SANDERS