US embassy cable - 01ABUJA2670

UNCLAS ABUJA 002670 
 
SIPDIS 
 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
 
DEPT AF/RA BITTRICK 
NSC FOR AFRICA DIRECTORATE AND MCLEAN 
 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL, MASS, MARR, PINR, NI 
SUBJECT: TFUS01: NIGERIA: AMBASSADOR CALLS ON EMIR OF ILORIN 
 
 
Sensitive But Unclassified - Protect Accordingly 
 
 
1. (SBU) During a visit to the OFR P3 training site in 
Ilorin, Ambassador Jeter, accompanied by OSD/ISA Director 
Theresa Whalen, DATT and PolMilOff, called on the Emir of 
Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari.  Expressing his deep 
condolences for the September 11 attacks on the United 
States, the Emir stated the beliefs voiced by Bin Laden and 
his ilk were not Islam, nor excused by any religion.  He 
emphasized (perhaps as much for his 25 or so attendants as 
for us) that using religion or ethnicity to rationalize 
terror was unacceptable.  Dismissing attempts to draw a line 
between civilizations, he stated that if he were President of 
Nigeria, he would foster a close relationship with the United 
States, and would even call upon Israel's expertise in 
irrigation and agricultural development.  Finally, he invited 
the Ilorin-based Operation Focus Relief trainers to visit him 
any time, noting they would find him an "agreeable host." 
 
 
2. (SBU) During the subsequent private session between the 
Ambassador and the Emir, Gambari lamented ethnic and 
religious tensions in Nigeria.  He argued that these 
conflicts in Nigeria were primarily driven by those seeking 
political ends.  To counter this in Ilorin, he said, he was 
working with traditional leaders and others to create avenues 
of discourse. 
 
 
3. (SBU) COMMENT AND BIO INFORMATION: Gambari, a lawyer and 
judge by profession, became Emir in 1995.  He is the brother 
of Ibrahim Gambari, Nigeria's decades-long PermRep at the UN 
and current Under Secretary and Special Representative to 
Africa.  He was a driving force behind the creation of the 
Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) and served as the group's 
first Chairman.  He is a relatively important Northern and 
Muslim leader, and his clear condemnation of the terrorist 
attacks against the U.S. in front of his attendants will 
resonate beyond the walls of his palace. 
 
 
4. (SBU)  COMMENT CONTINUED: Ilorin itself sits on the line 
between the zones of influence of the Yoruba and the 
Hausa-Fulani.  Gambari, whose authority comes from the 
Hausa-Fulani emirate system, must constantly engage in 
dialogue to keep his realm quiet.  Feuding between Kwara 
State Governor Alhaji Mohammed Lawal and political 
heavyweight Dr. Olusola Saraki makes his task harder. 
Ilorin's relative quiet is testimony to the Emir's 
effectiveness thus far.  END COMMENT AND BIO INFORMATION. 
Jeter