US embassy cable - 05LAGOS1448

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Identifier:	05LAGOS1448
Wikileaks:	View 05LAGOS1448 at Wikileaks.org
Origin:	Consulate Lagos
Created:	2005-09-16 15:01:00
Classification:	UNCLASSIFIED
Tags:	ELAB EPET KDEM PGOV NI
Redacted:	This cable was not redacted by Wikileaks.

UNCLAS LAGOS 001448 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DOE FOR DAS JBRODMAN AND CGAYE 
TREASURY FOR ASEVERENS AND SRENANDER 
DOC FOR KBURRESS 
STATE PASS TRANSPORTATION MARAD 
STATE PASS USAID FOR GWEYNAND AND SLAWAETZ 
STATE PASS EX-IM FOR JRICHTER AND KVRANICH 
STATE PASS OPIC FOR ZHAN AND JEDWARDS 
STATE PASS TDA FOR NCABOT AND BTERNET 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: ELAB, EPET, KDEM, PGOV, NI 
SUBJECT: LAGOS: SECOND LABOR UPDATE 
 
REF: LAGOS 1429 
 
1.  The Benin City rally to protest increased fuel prices was 
big and fortunately took place without major incident.  When 
protestors reached the Governor's office complex, they found 
the gate locked.  Rally organizers were not able to enter to 
present the letter of protest.  Marchers started to become 
agitated until the Governor himself came out to receive the 
letter. 
 
2.  As happened in Lagos (reftel), unarmed police officials 
accompanied protestors.  They estimated between 20,000 and 
30,000 participants by the time the procession reached the 
Governor's office.  The march stretched over approximately 20 
kilometers.  The next rally is planned for Kano on September 
20.  With Kano being the North's largest city, this next 
procession could even be larger.  There will be a total of 
six marches, one for each geopolitical zone in Nigeria 
(reftel). 
BROWNE