US embassy cable - 02ABUJA2988

S E C R E T ABUJA 002988 
 
SIPDIS 
 
 
NOFORN 
 
 
FROM AMBASSADOR JETER 
 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/01/2012 DERIVATIVE 
TAGS: PGOV, ECON 
SUBJECT:  NIGERIA: AMBASSADOR'S COMMENTS ON CIA 533007 
 
 
CLASSIFIED BY AMBASSADOR. HOWARD F. JETER FOR REASONS 1.5 
(D) 
 
 
REF: CIA 533007 
 
 
1. (S/NF) I question the usefulness of reftel's content. 
If former Head of State Babangida made the remarks, his 
comments were almost certainly self-serving and perhaps 
consciously intended to undermine Obasanjo's status in 
Western capitals.  President Obasanjo has his shortcomings 
and there is the unfortunate possibility that a serious 
misstep might occur that would result in Nigeria's use of 
military force in Bakassi.  However, most indications are 
that Nigeria hopes to maintain the status quo, and avoid 
the use of force while engaging in bilateral discussion 
with Cameroon. Given Nigeria's position thus far, I 
sincerely doubt that Obasanjo would use "war" as a means to 
keep himself in power. 
 
 
2. (S/NF) However, given the active political 
machinations afoot in Nigeria, intelligence sources 
sometimes need to be carefully scrutinized to determine 
their agendas. In this milieu, uncritical reporting of 
self-interested, biased statements of principal political 
actors will not always be useful reporting.  Misinformation 
about political opponents will abound.  Reftel may also be 
consistent with IBB's reputation for manipulative activity. 
We should be on guard for this. 
 
 
3. (S/NF) I have come to know President Obasanjo fairly 
well.  He has many weaknesses, and he has failed to meet 
expectations; however, I find it hard to believe that he 
has fallen as low as Babangida would have us believe. 
JETER