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| Identifier: | 89LAGOS5283 |
|---|---|
| Wikileaks: | View 89LAGOS5283 at Wikileaks.org |
| Origin: | Consulate Lagos |
| Created: | 1989-04-05 16:27:00 |
| Classification: | CONFIDENTIAL |
| Tags: | PGOV NI |
| Redacted: | This cable was not redacted by Wikileaks. |
P 051627Z APR 89 FM AMEMBASSY LAGOS TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 9683 INFO AMCONSUL KADUNA AMEMBASSY LONDON AMEMBASSY PARIS
C O N F I D E N T I A L LAGOS 05283
LONDON FOR KOLKER
PARIS FOR FENDRICK
E.O. 12356: DECL:OADR
TAGS: PGOV, NI
SUBJECT: NIGERIA: SILENCE ON THE SHARIA DEBATE
REFS: (A) 1988 LAGOS 17683, (B) LAGOS 4990,
(C) LAGOS 5179, (D) LAGOS 5220
1. CONFIDENTIAL - ENTIRE TEXT.
2. SUMMARY: THE DEBATE OVER INCLUSION OF SHARIA LAW
PROVISIONS IN THE DRAFT CONSTITUTION REMAINS THE MOST
DIVISIVE ISSUE IN THE RUN-UP TOWARD LIFTING THE BAN ON
POLITICAL ACTIVITY. THE ARMED FORCES RULING COUNCIL
(AFRC) ANNOUNCED ON MARCH 29 THAT PROVISIONS ON SHARIA
LAW MUST BE INCLUDED IN THE CONSTITUTION BEFORE THE AFRC
WOULD ACCEPT IT FOR REVIEW (REF B). THE SURPRISE
ANNOUNCEMENT REOPENED THE DEBATE IN THE CONSTITUENT
ASSEMBLY AFTER THE AFRC HAD PUT A STOP TO THE POLITICAL
WRANGLING OVER THE ISSUE IN NOVEMBER 1988 (REF A).
HOWEVER, THE AFRC ANNOUNCED THAT THE CONSTITUENT
ASSEMBLY MUST STILL SUBMIT THE COMPLETED DRAFT
CONSTITUTION ON TIME--TODAY, APRIL 5--BUT THE PRESS IS
CONSPICUOUSLY SILENT ON THE ISSUE. END SUMMARY.
3. THE ANNOUNCEMENT THAT LANGUAGE ON SHARIA LAW MUST BE
INCLUDED IN THE DRAFT CONSTITUTION HAS CAUSED WIDESPREAD
CONFUSION IN THE CONSTITUENT ASSEMBLY. ACCORDING TO
PRESS REPORTS, CHAIRMAN OF THE CONSTITUENT ASSEMBLY
JUSTICE ANTHONY ANIAGOLU HAD UPHELD THE ASSEMBLY'S
MAJORITY RULING ON APRIL 1 THAT THE DRAFT CONSTITUTION
BE SUBMITTED TO THE AFRC IN TWO SEPARATE PARTS: ONE
INCLUDING THE AGREED-ON CLAUSES, AND A SECOND SETTING
FORTH THE "UNDEBATED CLAUSES," INCLUDING SHARIA. AFTER
THE APRIL 1 ASSEMBLY SESSION, PRESS REPORTS CONTINUE,
NORTHERN MEMBERS "LAY AMBUSH" ON CHAIRMAN ANIAGOLU AS HE
LEFT THE ASSEMBLY TO PROTEST HIS DECISION. SEVERAL
MEMBERS FROM THE EAST REPORTEDLY STEPPED IN TO PROTECT
THE CHAIRMAN, ENDING THE INCIDENT.
4. IN A PRIVATE MEETING WITH AMBASSADOR LYMAN ON APRIL
4, SECRETARY TO THE FEDERAL MILITARY GOVERNMENT (FMG)
CHIEF OLU FALAE (PROTECT - REF D) COMPLAINED THAT CHIEF
OF GENERAL STAFF VICE ADMIRAL AIKHOMU HAD MISMANAGED THE
ISSUE; AIKHOMU'S DECISION TO INSTRUCT THE CONSTITUENT
ASSEMBLY TO REINSTATE THE SHARIA CLAUSES IN THE DRAFT
CONSTITUTION HAD BEEN MADE IN FALAE'S ABSENCE. FALAE
STATED THAT AIKHOMU LACKS POLITICAL SENSITIVITY TOWARD
THE ISSUE AND MISUNDERSTOOD THE IMPLICATIONS OF
RE-INTRODUCING THE DEBATE IN THE CONSTITUENT
ASSEMBLY--THE SHARPENING OF RELIGIOUS RIVALRY BETWEEN
MUSLIMS AND CHRISTIANS.
5. COMMENT: THE AFRC'S MARCH 29 ANNOUNCEMENT THAT THE
SHARIA CLAUSES MUST BE INCLUDED IN THE DRAFT
CONSTITUTION HAS BEEN INTERPRETED BY SOME OF OUR
CONTACTS AND IN PARTS OF THE PRESS AS A DELIBERATE
ATTEMPT TO STALL SUBMISSION OF THE DOCUMENT AND THUS
POSTPONE LIFTING THE BAN ON POLITICAL ACTIVITY.
HOWEVER, THE AFRC'S INSISTENCE THAT THE DRAFT
CONSTITUTION BE SUBMITTED ON TIME DESPITE THE
REINTRODUCTION OF THE CONTENTIOUS SHARIA ISSUE LENDS
CREDENCE TO FALAE'S ALLEGATIONS OF FMG MISMANAGEMENT OF
THE ISSUE. THE FACT THAT THE NORMALLY VOCAL PRESS WAS
TOTALLY SILENT ON THE ISSUE TODAY--UNWILLING TO EVEN
SPECULATE ABOUT THE OUTCOME--AND THAT BABANGIDA IS
REPORTEDLY IN ABUJA, DEMONSTRATES THAT THE FINAL
DECISION ON WHETHER OR NOT THE SHARIA CLAUSES WILL BE IN
THE DRAFT CONSTITUTION IS STILL UP FOR GRABS OR THAT A
COMPROMISE COULD BE WORKED OUT AT THE LAST MINUTE.
LYMAN
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