This wikileaks cable reveals how powerful Kwara State governor, Bukola Saraki, helped shape political developments during Umaru Yar'adua's grave ill health. The cable also focuses on ostensible efforts by the Governors Forum “to put the EFCC back on track". SaharaReporters had revealed earlier that Mr. Saraki and some former governors recruited and staffed the EFCC and took total control of the anti-corruption agency.
This wikileaks cable reveals how powerful Kwara State governor, Bukola Saraki, helped shape political developments during Umaru Yar'adua's grave ill health. The cable also focuses on ostensible efforts by the Governors Forum “to put the EFCC back on track". SaharaReporters had revealed earlier that Mr. Saraki and some former governors recruited and staffed the EFCC and took total control of the anti-corruption agency.
googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('content1'); });
Reference ID
Created
Released
Classification
Origin
09ABUJA202
2009-02-04 14:02
2011-01-22 21:09
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Abuja
VZCZCXRO2813
PP RUEHPA
DE RUEHUJA #0202/01 0351455
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 041455Z FEB 09
FM AMEMBASSY ABUJA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 5175
INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUEHSA/AMEMBASSY PRETORIA PRIORITY 1638
RUEHYD/AMEMBASSY YAOUNDE PRIORITY 0612
RUEHOS/AMCONSUL LAGOS PRIORITY 0748
RHMFISS/HQ USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE PRIORITY
RHEBAAA/DEPT OF ENERGY WASHDC PRIORITY
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RUEKDIA/DIA WASHDC PRIORITY
RHMFISS/HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE PRIORITY
RUZEJAA/JAC MOLESWORTH RAF MOLESWORTH UK PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ABUJA 000202
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR AF/W, INR/AA
DOE FOR GEORGE PERSON
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/28/2019
TAGS: PGOV PREL EFIN KCOR TBIO NI
SUBJECT: NIGERIA: SARAKI ON PRESIDENT'S HEALTH, NEED FOR
ACTION ON PRIORITIES IN 2009, APPOINTMENT OF FORMER NFIU CHIEF TO GOVERNOR'S FORUM
Classified By: Political Counselor Walter Pflaumer for reasons 1.4. (b
& d).
1. (C) SUMMARY. Ambassador met with Kwara State Governor and President of the Governor's Forum (GF) Bukola Saraki on January 28. Saraki was his usual self, discussing President Yar'Adua's health situation and his own attempt to resolve some of the EFCC's issues by appointing the former NFIU Chief
as Director General of the GF. He also noted that he had followed through on the framework for stemming polio outbreaks tha tthe Ambassador had given to him in December 2008 to share with the 36 governors. (NOTE: The Ambassador had provided the interagency points on what states needed to
do better to address polio in Nigeria.) Saraki continues to maintain that Yar'Adua does not have lung cancer and noted that he is less fatigued and breathing better than in September 2008. Saraki told me Yar'Adua recognizes the need
to take visible action on his seven point agenda in 2009, as January 2010 will see the beginning of political maneuvering for the 2011 elections. Saraki put the recent reconciliation between former President Obasanjo and former VP Atiku in the context of preparations for the 2011 elections. He again thanked Ambassador for a presentation on polio sent by the Mission and noted that the governors agreed to work to eradicate polio in their respective states under the umbrella of the "Make Your State Polio Free" campaign.
END SUMMARY.
Saraki comments on Yar'adua's health
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
2. (C) On the President, Saraki began by saying Yar'Adua will remain in Abuja the week of January 26 and plans to travel to Katsina and other areas of Nigeria the next week. He holds to his view (as a medical doctor) that Yar'Adua is
chronically ill, suffering from kidney disease, but maintains that he knows of no plans to go to Germany for treatment and does not believe he has lung cancer or is in need of a kidney transplant at this time. Saraki said Yar'Adua wanted to go out of Nigeria with his family for vacation, but was concerned that international travel would be perceived as another medical trip, so decided to stay in Nigeria to allay any fears. Regarding Yar'Adua's health in general, Saraki
said that Yar'Adua suffers from less fatigue and shortness of breath than he had in September 2008, and has not had a major episode since returning to Nigeria from his September trip to Saudi Arabia, implying that his medical regime has given him some relief.
3. (C) NOTE: In a January 27 meeting, Shell Petroleum Vice President for Africa Anne Pickard noted to Ambassador that xxxxxxxxxxxx the German construction and transport company Julius Berger xxxxxxxxxxxx provide transportation to and from Germany for doctors looking after Yar'Adua, as well as helps ship medical equipment to Abuja.
Yar'adua realizes need to act in 2009
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - --
4. (C) Saraki asked the Ambassador (given her recent trip back) how Nigeria is being viewed in the U.S. these days. Ambassador noted that there was still concern that there was not more movement on Yar'Adua's 7-point agenda, nor concrete steps to improve the Niger Delta situation and the lack of movement on the anti-corruption fight remains at the top of the list. Saraki said he discussed this with Yar'Adua and that Yar'Adua realized he needs to move faster and no longer has the liberty to be as deliberative as his nature might dictate. Saraki said that he and Yar'Adua are of like minds in seeing 2009 as a "make or break" year. In January 2010, political camps within the PDP will already be formulating
their positions on candidates for the 2011 election and it would be harder for Ministers and others to take any bold actions as they seek their godfathers for 2011. Ambassador asked Saraki if he thought the PDP would support Yar'Adua for another term, if he so desired. Saraki said he did not know, noting there are already others interested (i.e., Atiku) who will also be working the party members. Saraki said he did not know and has not received any signal from Yar'Adua regarding his plans for 2011.
Saraki on obasanjo-atiku meeting
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
5. (C) Saraki maintained that former President Obasanjo and former VP Atiku were having a "lovefest" in order to prepare for the 2011 elections. Asked about internal machinations within the PDP lately, which clearly have the governors on one side and politicos like Obasanjo and Atiku on the other, Saraki said this was the case and he expected things to continue in this vein as people begin to decide who they are going to back for the 2011 election. Saraki said Atiku would
officially be coming back into the PDP in March 2009.
Gov's forum to put efcc back on track
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
6. (C) Saraki said he is trying to work behind the scenes getting the issues surrounding the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission "back on track." He maintained this was the motivation behind hiring former Nigerian Financial
Intelligence Unit (NFIU) Director Ashishano Bayo Okauru as Director General of the Governor's Forum (announced publicly on January 27). Saraki said Okauru is not/not being pursued on corruption nor national security grounds and neither is there an arrest pending on him. According to Saraki, Okauru has worked out his "resignation issues." (COMMENT: Given previous EFCC focus on the Saraki family, we are skeptical of the Governor's comments as he has a vested in terest in the EFCC taking its spotlight off his family. END COMMENT.)
State-level polio eradication campaigns
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
7. (C) Saraki said the governors were appreciative of the polio presentation the Ambassador sent to the Governors' Forum in December, noting the attendance of Ministry of Health officials at the forum. The governors agreed to a campaign to make their states polio-free and report on polio issues at each GF meeting. Further developments will be reported septel.
8. (C) COMMENT: Although Saraki is very plugged in with President Yar'Adua and holds a lot of political sway with many governors, particuarly in the north, we always need to weigh his motives with the information he provides in
one-on-one meetings. He certainly sees himself as a potential political candidate at sometime and sees Yar'Adua as one of his best vehicles to get there. On the other hand, he clearly has fears about the Obasanjo-Atiku reunion as they would be a more difficult faction of the PDP to control.
9. (U) This cable was coordinated with Consulate Lagos.
SANDERS
googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('comments'); });
googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('content2'); });