US embassy cable - 02ABUJA2322

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ABUJA 002322 
 
SIPDIS 
 
 
FOR DS/OP/AF AND DS/DSS/ITA 
 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/01/2007 
TAGS: ASEC, PREL, PGOV, KDEM, NI 
SUBJECT: NIGERIA: OBASANJO FACES VIOLENT PROTEST IN KANO 
 
 
CLASSIFIED BY A/DCM BRIAN L. BROWNE. REASON 1.5 (B) and (D). 
 
 
1. (C) Summary: Instead of being a vehicle to improve his 
image in Northern public opinion, President Obasanjo's visit 
to Kano has been mired in controversy over the police 
response to anti-Obasanjo protests in that city. Over 35 
people were arrested when their demonstration turned violent 
July 29. There are conflicting accounts about fatalities. 
Media reports indicate seven people may have been killed by 
police bullets; but these reports are unconfirmed and the GON 
denies any killings. There were credible reports of people 
wounded but the cause(s) of their injuries remain uncertain. 
In any event, the protest both illustrate and further 
reinforce Obasanjo's negative image in Kano and much of the 
North. End Summary. 
 
 
2. (U) President Olusegun Obasanjo attended the launch of the 
biography of the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero, at the 
Emir's Palace July 29 as part of an official visit to Kano. 
According to media reports, police fired after protesters 
became more agitated and started to draw near when Obasanjo's 
entourage left the venue. The protesters were shouting 
pro-Buhari and pro-Mohammed Abacha slogans as well as 
carrying placards of both men. (Note: Buhari is a 
presidential hopeful whose popularity in Kano is significant 
and whose criticism of Obasanjo has been stinging. Abacha, 
the son of late Head of State Sani Abacha, remains jailed 
despite the Supreme Court decision freeing him of charges in 
the murder of Kudirat Abiola, wife of the annulled 1993 
election's putative victor Moshood Abiola. Quashing the 
murder charges was part of a deal whereby Abacha would be 
freed in exchange for the recovery of over one billion 
dollars government funds stolen by the Abacha family. Since 
the funds have not yet been transferred to its account, the 
GON has delayed Abacha's release.  End Note.) 
 
 
3. (U) Several press reports claim that, as a result of the 
police shootings and tear gas, 7 people were killed and 
others wounded. 
 
 
4. (U) The Presidency promptly issued a July 30 statement 
denying any fatalities. The press release stated "it is true 
that a small group of people had displayed placards demanding 
the release of Mohammed Abacha at the Emir's palace, venue of 
the launching of the book."  The Presidency contended the 
"police acted promptly to check the disruptive intention of 
the protesters and dispersed them with tear-gas and 
time-tested crowd-control measures."  The release criticized 
local and foreign media organizations like BBC and VOA for 
reporting the alleged shooting deaths. 
 
 
5. (U) Alhaji Aminu Kwaru, the Private Secretary to the Emir 
of Kano, told our Political FSN that tear gas was fired but 
there were no fatalities and he did not believe any shots 
were fired. He blamed the incident on politicians exploiting 
the emotions of unemployed and disgruntled youth.  Although 
there was no evidence of fatalities, Kwaru would not discount 
the possibility that some had been injured. 
 
 
6. (U) However, other Embassy sources claimed shots were 
fired but they could not confirm if the shots were aimed at 
the protesters or in the air. A BBC reporter saw several 
injured demonstrators but no evidence of any fatalities.  The 
Kano State Police Commissioner also denied any shooting 
deaths. He did state that 37 protesters had been arrested for 
causing a public disturbance. 
 
 
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COMMENT 
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7. (C) Considering the controversy overhanging Mohammed 
Abacha's continued detention and that Buhari would also be at 
the Emir's palace, Obasanjo was walking into unfriendly 
territory when he entered Kano. Obasanjo also should have 
expected a rough welcome given the treatment meted to V.P. 
Atiku in Kano a few months ago. (Atiku was the target of rock 
throwing at a book launching in May.) Given these factors, 
the timing of the visit seemed ill advised. It suggests an 
underestimation within the Presidency of the depth of the 
opposition in Kano as well as an underestimation of the 
extent to which Obasanjo's opponents will go to make him look 
bad should he walk on their home turf. 
 
 
8. (C) The Kano incident has generated negative media for 
Obasanjo at a time when he does not need any more bad news. 
Many people will make up their minds on what happened in Kano 
based on their feelings about Obasanjo. Thus, despite the 
lack of concrete evidence, many Obasanjo critics will believe 
the killings took place because they want to think the worst 
about Obasanjo and his government. On another level, this 
event is another signal that the election campaign will be 
tumultuous and occasioned by episodes of violence. 
JETER