US embassy cable - 04ABUJA773

UNCLAS ABUJA 000773 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV, PHUM, KDEM, NI 
SUBJECT: MAY 3 RALLY ORGANIZERS DEFY ARREST 
 
REF: ABUJA 763 
 
SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED, NOT FOR PUBLICATION ON THE 
INTERNET OR INTRANET. 
 
1.  (SBU)  SUMMARY:  The detention of at least one CNPP 
organizer and attempts to detain others are the latest GON 
efforts to forestall a public demonstration against President 
Obasanjo scheduled for 3 May.  Rally organizers say they are 
ready to move ahead, "regardless of the risk."  The latest we 
hear from the GON is that it may declare Monday May 3 a 
public holiday (as the existing May 1 public holiday falls on 
a Saturday) and urge Nigerians to stay at home.  END SUMMARY. 
 
MISSING PERSONS 
 
2.  (SBU)  The GON says the planned march is illegal, and 
State Security Service (SSS) detained National Coordinator 
for Mass Mobilization for the Conference of Nigerian 
Political Parties (CNPP) Buba Galadima on April 29.  His 
location is unknown at this time, but he is likely being held 
at SSS Headquarters in Abuja.  Various sources say that at 
least 7 other attempted arrests failed in Port Harcourt, 
Enugu, Kaduna and Abuja because security personnel could not 
find the individuals.  CNPP General Secretary Maxi Okwu 
missed a meeting at the British High Commission in Abuja on 
April 30, and the British do not know whether he has been 
detained or gone into hiding. 
 
3.  (SBU)  Contacts with Chukwuemeka Ojukwu and Muhammadu 
Buhari tell us attempts were made to place the two 2003 
presidential election opponents of Obasanjo under "house 
arrest" on the evening of April 29.  SSS agents visited 
Ojukwu's residence in Enugu and advised his guards that he 
should "remain in the house until further notice."  One 
contact says Ojukwu's guards responded by chasing the SSS men 
from the neighborhood.  Ojukwu left the house and is 
reportedly en route to Abuja.  SSS agents visited Buhari's 
house in Katsina that same evening.  Buhari was not at home, 
and when other agents called on his house in Dauru with the 
same advice, found Buhari had already departed. 
 
DEFIANT 
 
4.  (SBU)  CNPP Chairman Balarabe Musa told a radio station 
in Abia State on April 30 that the rally will go ahead.  He 
and our contacts close to Buhari and Ojukwu still believed 
the two opposition leaders will try to participate in the 
rally.  One contact said the arrest of Galadima will "only 
provoke a stronger response from Nigerians." 
 
5.  (SBU)  Embassy contacts in Abuja tell us the GON has 
decided to announce that 3 May will be a public holiday.  One 
source claims "people will be told to stay at home for the 
holiday." 
ROBERTS