US embassy cable - 02ABUJA122

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ABUJA 000122 
 
SIPDIS 
 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV, ELAB, EPET, EFIN, ECON, NI, SCOI 
SUBJECT: NIGERIA: STRIKE HAS LIMITED IMPACT DURING FIRST 
DAY IN NORTHERN NIGERIA; DETENTION OF NLC PRESIDENT 
OHSIOMHOLE MAY GALVANIZE STRIKERS 
 
 
REF: A. A) LAGOS 105 
     B. B) LAGOS 106 
 
 
1. (U) Summary: As of 1:30 pm Nigeria Time (7:30 am EST), the 
Nigerian Labour Congress, general strike was most effective 
in Lagos (Lagos septel).  Although showing slightly less than 
normal activity, Abuja has not been greatly affected by the 
strike.  However, there was substantial compliance in the 
Northern industrial city of Kaduna and partial observance in 
the key city of Kano.  In Jos, it was business as usual, 
except for significant absenteeism among civil servants. 
Reports by government officials, media and local contacts in 
other northern Nigerian cities indicate little violence thus 
far as a result of the strike.  However, the apparent 
detention of NLC President Adams Oshiomhole, if it holds, has 
the potential to raise tempers and will likely be used by 
strike organizers as a rallying point in their attempts to 
galvanize support.   End Summary 
 
 
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NLC President Detained 
----------------------- 
 
 
2. (SBU) According to a member of the Embassy surveillance 
detection unit who witnessed the event, NLC President 
Oshiomhole and two others were detained in front of the 
Federal Secretariat Complex in Abuja around 11:00 local time. 
 Apparently, Oshiomhole arrived at the Secretariat in a 
convoy of approximately ten (10) vehicles that blocked the 
complex,s entrance.  As he started to give a speech to a 
group of federal workers, police arrived and fired tear gas, 
dispersing the small crowd.  Plainclothes security officers 
then took Oshiomhole, who resisted, and placed him in an 
unmarked Peugeot vehicle.  The vehicle departed the area 
through the entrance to the Supreme Court, heading in the 
general direction of Aso Villa.  There were no reported 
injuries at the Federal Secretariat, and activity around the 
area soon returned to normal.  Media reports have as many as 
20 other senior labor leaders being arrested, including the 
Dr. Oyediran, President of the Nigeria,s Academic Staff 
Union of Universities (ASUU).  We are unable to confirm these 
reports. 
 
 
3. (SBU) Union officials in Kaduna believe that Oshiomhole 
will be charged with a crime and held in an attempt to break 
the strike.  Sources at the Presidency say that no official 
comment will come until the conclusion of the weekly Federal 
Executive Council meeting.  Comment: Oshiomhole may have been 
courting arrest in an effort to galvanize support.  The GON 
had issued stern warnings to civil servants that absence 
would not be tolerated, so Oshimhole must have known that 
blocking the main gate to the Federal Secretariat complex 
would prompt a forceful GON reaction. End comment. 
 
 
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THE STRIKE: A POPULAR ACTION? 
----------------------------- 
 
 
4. (SBU) Meeting with PolCouns in Kaduna yesterday, a senior 
official of the National Union of Textile Workers correctly 
predicted the strike in Kaduna would be effective.  He stated 
that labor was well organized in the city and that the fuel 
price hikes had precipitated a substantial increase in 
consumer prices, particularly for foodstuffs and 
transportation, that negatively affected everyone.  As an 
example, he emphasized that cab fares in Kaduna had nearly 
doubled since the announced increased.  More resigned than 
eager to strike, he asserted the NLC would call off the 
strike if the GON signaled its willingness to negotiate and 
compromise on the extent and timing of the price hike.  He 
claimed that the NLC could live with an increase implemented 
in stages. The fuel hike, coupled with the GON,s delay in 
implementing the pledged 25 percent minimum wage increase 
last year, had placed the NLC leadership in a difficult 
position.  If the NLC did not take action, the rank and file 
would accuse the leadership of kowtowing to government, he 
maintained. 
 
 
5. (SBU) Labor,s participation in the Petroleum Pricing and 
Regulatory Committee (though they now disassociate themselves 
from its decisions) and their refusal to adhere to the 
statutory 21 day cooling-off period have cost them some 
support.  Also important in winning support for the 
government position is participation by popular Kaduna 
Governor Muhammad Makarfi and other governors in opposing the 
strike as "illegal" and a threat to "the survival of 
democracy, peaceful co-existence and the rule of law." 
 
 
6. (SBU) Since the increased official rates went into effect, 
Northern consumers have seen black market prices go down to 
40 to 50 Naira per liter from the 80 to 90 liter prices 
before the hike.  In many areas of the North, there are 
virtually no transactions at the official rates.  The 
increase of the official price, increased production from 
domestic refineries and recently allowed gasoline imports 
have created considerable downward pressure in the real cost 
of gasoline for Northern Nigerian motorists.  The real 
popular issue is not the 18 percent increase in the cost of 
fuel, but the sudden and much sharper opportunistic increase 
(50 to 100 percent) in food and transportation costs noted 
above. 
 
 
-------------------- 
City by City Reports 
-------------------- 
 
 
7. (U) In Kaduna, most stores, gas stations, banks and 
markets were closed although a few stores and markets showed 
signs of limited activity by the afternoon.  While contacts 
agree there is widespread observance of the strike in Kaduna, 
compliance in other key northern cities is not quite as high. 
 
 
8. (U) Kano: The North,s largest city, Kano is a busy 
commercial center and labor unions are active but not as 
strong as in Kaduna.  Incoming traffic was delayed this 
morning by the presence of bonfires on a few roads leading 
into the city.  However, by mid-day, most markets and stores 
were open for business.  Most gas stations remained closed 
and noticeably fewer commercial vehicles were seen plying the 
roads.  Overall, the city appeared calm, according to our 
contacts.  Note: Most gas stations in Kano are closed most of 
the time on normal days; the vast majority of fuel sales take 
place on the black market. End Note. 
 
 
9. (U) Zaria: In the home of Ahmadu Bello University, which 
has a history of student activism, some students apparently 
joined the strikers by starting bonfires and engaging in 
petty harassment of motorists, but there were no major 
disruptions.  Gas stations were closed and streets less busy 
than usual. 
 
 
10. (U) Jos: Although many government workers failed to 
report to work, most banks, stores and market were open. The 
city appeared calm. 
 
 
11. (U) Maiduguri: This is another fairly active commercial 
center.  Strike observance was substantial, according to 
local contacts, but no disturbances were reported.  Most 
government offices and shops were closed.  Vehicular traffic 
was much less than normal. 
 
 
12. (U) Sokoto: This city, the administrative center for the 
northwest corner of the country and the seat of the 
traditional Sultanate, experienced limited observance of the 
strike with most markets, stores and facilities open. 
 
 
13. (U) American Citizens: Embassy thus far has no reports of 
any significant negative effects on American citizens 
residing in Northern and Middle Belt States.  We assume minor 
inconveniences affect them as much as they affect Nigerians. 
 
 
14. (SBU) Mission travelers: Two Mission AmCits (one USDH and 
one USPSC) have been asked to remain in Kano for another 
night in order not to have to pass through Kaduna at this 
time.  International flights are reportedly operating 
normally.  As a precautionary measure, Embassy will use a 
two-vehicle convoy to support in-bound and out-bound visitors 
tonight. 
Jeter