US embassy cable - 05LAGOS1470

UNCLAS LAGOS 001470 
 
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: THIRD LABOR UPDATE 
 
REF: LAGOS 1448 
 
1.  The Nigerian Labor Congress's (NLC) September 20 rally 
against increased fuel prices in Kano attracted at least 
50,000 people and proceeded relatively peacefully to the 
Governor's office.  Kano State Governor Ibrahim Shekaruau 
addressed the protesters, supporting their cause and calling 
the fuel price hike "unjust."  The rally dispersed without 
incident.  However, the protest reportedly paralyzed 
commercial activity in Kano.  Schools, banks, and shops were 
closed.  It was the largest such gathering since the 
opposition ANPP organized rallies against the Obasanjo 
government two years ago. 
 
2.  The next major NLC rally is scheduled for September 22, 
in Yola, Adamawa State, home of the Vice President.  Another 
follows in Owerri, Imo State on September 26.  Several 
organizers have voiced concerns over security for the Owerri 
rally.  The current crisis in Imo between Governor Udenwa and 
pro-Obasanjo officials of the Imo State chapter of the ruling 
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) can be expected to fuel the 
anti-government fervor of the rally.  Rallies are also 
expected in other areas, including potential flash points 
such as Abuja and Port Harcourt.  (Note:  Port Harcourt is 
especially volatile at present due to the September 21 arrest 
of militia leader Dokubo Asari.) 
 
3.  The rallies, planned by the NLC and several civil society 
organizations through the Labor and Civil Society Coalition 
(LASCO), have been successful in mobilizing people and in 
maintaining order.  However, the efficacy of the rallies in 
forcing the GON to lower fuel prices remains uncertain.  The 
lack of violence at the rallies so far is noteworthy.  This 
may be due in part to a change in law, since on June 24, 2005 
the Abuja High Court annulled the law which required 
demonstrators to obtain advance written permission from the 
police.  The peaceful result may also be due to  the fact 
that the NLC met with the Acting Inspector General of Police, 
Sunday Ehindero, prior to the rallies. 
BROWNE