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| Identifier: | 01ABUJA2539 |
|---|---|
| Wikileaks: | View 01ABUJA2539 at Wikileaks.org |
| Origin: | Embassy Abuja |
| Created: | 2001-10-05 14:31:00 |
| Classification: | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY |
| Tags: | PGOV PINS NI |
| Redacted: | This cable was not redacted by Wikileaks. |
This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
UNCLAS ABUJA 002539 SIPDIS SENSITIVE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV, PINS, NI SUBJECT: ZAMFARA POLITICAL VIOLENCE: AT IT AGAIN REF: (A) ABUJA 2514 Sensitive But Unclassified -- Please Handle Accordingly. 1. (U) APP and PDP supporters clashed violently in the streets of Gusau, capital of Zamfara State, following a PDP rally on October 4. Four persons died, 19 were critically injured and 74 were arrested. Both sides attacked property belonging to the leadership of the other party. APP members vandalized PDP Headquarters and the homes of PDP leaders. PDP members torched government vehicles and attacked the houses of top APP figures, as well as Gov. Sani's personal residence. 2. (U) Armed APP thugs reportedly accompanied Sani during his tour to inspect the damage, chanting "Sai Yerimah" (No one but Sani" (for Governor in 2003). The VOA correspondent in Gusau told us he asked the military Area Commander how the APP could be allowed to rally so soon after a violent confrontation. He reportedly replied that it was the responsibility of Commissioner of Police (CP) Aaron Ibiloye to issue permits for political rallies, but added that the military was watching the situation "very closely." Perhaps in response to Sani's irresponsibility, or the CP's inability to reign him in, Inspector General Musiliu Smith has now sent in an Assistant Inspector General of Police to manage security matters. 3. (SBU) Comment: This event is the latest in a series of skirmishes between APP and PDP supporters in Zamfara. There has been a longstanding political feud between Gov. Sani and the NSA Aliyu Mohammed. Each has now asked the President to take action against the other. Sani has gone so far as to approach Poloff with a request for the Embassy to intercede on his behalf with Obasanjo. Sani's desperation is due in part to the fact that the 2003 elections loom, and he has very little to show on the ground for his first term. End Comment. Jeter
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