US embassy cable - 02ABUJA1344

C O N F I D E N T I A L ABUJA 001344 
 
SIPDIS 
 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/18/2012 
TAGS: PINS, PREL, KPAO, PHUM, PGOV, NI 
SUBJECT: CORRUPTION CHARGE "SHOCKS" GON - MUST GANA GO? 
 
 
CLASSIFIED BY AMBASSADOR HOWARD F. JETER.  REASON 1.5(B). 
 
 
1. (U) "Time" magazine recently reported that journalists 
invited to Abuja to hear Information Minister Jerry Gana 
lament alleged misrepresentations about Nigeria in foreign 
media were given envelopes containing 50,000 Naira.  "Time" 
implied that the money (about USD 400) was intended as a 
bribe to solicit more favorable coverage. 
 
 
2. (U) According to "ThisDay," President Obasanjo was ready 
to fire Gana, but VP Atiku Abubakar intervened, suggesting an 
investigation instead.  Inquiries by the State Security 
Service (SSS) and others determined that Gana need not go. 
The envelopes had contained modest sums clearly intended to 
defray airfare and lodging for the Lagos-based journalists, 
according to Justice Minister Godwin Kanu Agabi's report. 
 
 
3.  (U) The "Time" story was just another example of how 
foreign media victimize Nigeria, fumed the GON.  Twenty-one 
of the 24 invited foreign journalists, including CNN's Jeff 
Koinange, who had been at the center of the original spat, 
had accepted the money, the GON claimed.  Not only that, but 
paying "honoraria" to journalists invited to cover an event 
was a common practice -- engaged in by "USIS", among others, 
the GON claimed.  In the future, those who "defame" the GON 
would be subject to prosecution, Agabi huffed. 
 
 
4.  (U) PAO Comment:  The claim about "USIS" is entirely 
inaccurate.  PAS never provides honoraria for journalists 
attending news events.  There may have been some confusion 
with PAS sponsorship of journalists who participate in 
International Visitor programs.  End PAO Comment. 
 
 
5.  (U) The GON-owed "Daily Times" April 25 duly noted the 
GON assertions in its news story but ran an editorial quite 
critical of its owner.  The editorial quoted Gana's terse 
dismissal of the sum as paltry ("What is $400?") and agreed 
that the practice of "covering expenses" was common.  "But 
with the government's...avowed war on corruption in the 
country, it is sickening to note that such practice rather 
than being discouraged is actively indulged in by its very 
own officials.  Surely, foreign media organizations operating 
in the country are buoyant enough to cater for all expenses 
of their staff.  For the Information Ministry to offer 
N50,000 to each journalist for whatever reason raises more 
questions than answers. ...What could possibly be the 
ultimate reason other than to compromise him to write 
favorable reports?"  The newspaper then calls on its owner to 
set an example and halt hand-outs to journalists. 
 
 
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COMMENT 
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6.  (C) Was "Jerry Propagana" guilty of attempted bribery? 
Probably not.  Informed sources tell us that the going rate 
for local "placement" is 100,000 Naira (about USD 800).  The 
perennial Information Minister is far too experienced to 
attempt mass-bribery of foreign media representatives at half 
the rate for renting a local journalist's sympathies.  He 
would take a subtler approach, shelling out more money to a 
few key people he knows are for sale.  Also, paying a 
journalist's travel and lodging is common practice.  While 
PAS/Nigeria does not defray journalists' travel expenses to 
attend a press conference, many others with a story to tell 
do just that -- not only the GON, but also politicians and 
companies holding their annual meetings.  As "Daily Times" 
suggests, however, the line between defraying travel costs 
and purchasing influence is difficult to discern.  The GON 
doubtless knows that, hence its self-righteous sputtering. 
Also, political fixers, such as Works Minister Tony Anenih 
are widely reputed to cajole with cash, usually capacious 
"Ghana-Must-Go" bags stuffed with Naira notes. 
 
 
7.  (C) The GON is behaving like a habitually naughty child 
who, this one time, is innocent.  With much braying and a bit 
of foot-stamping, the GON tries to intimidate would-be 
journalistic whistle-blowers.  But the targets seem to be 
fighting back.  BBC ran a story about Agabi's threats on its 
website, noting that Obasanjo's sensitivity to negative media 
coverage was costing him opportunities to highlight his 
Administration's achievements.  For most Nigerian 
journalists, the entire discussion is unwelcome, as it puts a 
major source of income at risk.  But they need not worry; the 
GON and Nigerian elites are unlikely to discard proven 
methods during an election year because of a minor scandal in 
the international press.  Buying favorable coverage is part 
of the political game, and sophisticated Nigerians will 
continue to play it. 
JETER