US embassy cable - 02ABUJA3321

UNCLAS ABUJA 003321 
 
SIPDIS 
 
 
STATE FOR AF/PD 
LAGOS FOR PAS 
 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: KPAO, PBTS, PGOV, NI 
SUBJECT: "TWO TERMS THREATENS DEMOCRACY AND PEACE" SAYS 
NIGERIA'S AMBASSADOR TO THE U.S. 
 
 
1.  Summary:  On November 16, Nigerian Ambassador to the U.S., Professo 
Jibril Aminu, said in a press interview that the idea of two terms for 
officials is a threat to Nigeria's democracy and peace in the country. 
Aminu, who spoke on a wide range of issues, reiterated that the North h 
with all Presidential candidates before the 1999 elections to protect t 
interests.  Aminu was optimistic that the Bakassi issue would be settle 
with Cameroon.  He spoke positively about U.S.-Nigerian relations, and 
acknowledged that improved government management could strengthen Niger 
image.  End Summary. 
 
 
Nigeria's Ambassador to the U.S. Speaks to the Press 
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2.  On November 16, Nigerian Ambassador to the U.S., Professor Jibril A 
gave a three-page interview to the New Nigerian Weekly, a Kaduna-based, 
government-owned newspaper.  Aminu confirmed that all the Presidential 
candidates in 1999 signed an agreement to support the North's interests 
denied that President Obasanjo had agreed to a single term in the conte 
discussion.  He warned that the two-term issue is a threat to democracy 
in Nigeria, and advocated a single five-year term for the President, St 
governors, and Chairmen of the Local Government Councils. 
 
 
3.  Ambassador Aminu said that Nigerian politicians are dishonestly usi 
ethnicity because "they are not doing anything for their people."  He m 
generous references to the United States political system saying: "In t 
States you hardly catch a Congressman on Friday in the evening for any 
They have gone home.  They spend Saturday and a large part of Sunday wo 
with their own people, visiting, and answering questions, answering let 
phone calls and e-mails, and then they come back to Washington.  Our pe 
don't do that." 
 
 
4.  Answering a question on how people outside Nigeria, especially the 
Sates, view Nigeria, Ambassador Aminu said, " You may not believe it bu 
Nigeria is held in a very high esteem, particularly in the United State 
there were problems with the military governments before General Abduls 
Abubakar restored the country to democracy.  He said the people of Nige 
always been recognized and applauded for their skills adding, "Tens of 
of Nigerians are living and working in the United States at the highest 
contributing a lot to that society." 
 
 
5. Commenting on the International Court of Justice verdict on the Baka 
dispute between Nigeria and the Cameroon, Ambassador Aminu said, "I do 
want us to just reject and sit down.  I do not want us to reject, and m 
into conflict with Cameroon, an African state, our sister African state 
neighbor with whom we shared so many useful experiences in the past 
including. much of it being part of Nigeria before.  But, I don't think 
fight them." 
 
 
6. Asked about the possibility of violence in the 2003 elections, Ambas 
Aminu said, "This is something entirely in our hands.  And I believe, i 
decide to behave ourselves, to reflect on the dangers, and to reflect o 
promises, the opportunities that lie ahead of this country in a success 
think we can still do it.  Professor Aminu, however, expressed disappoi 
with the political fighting in the country remarking, "You know, there 
impression that we lack some seriousness."  He added that outsiders hav 
impression that Nigeria's political elites and intelligentsia are not l 
mismanagement remains an issue for Nigerians to overcome.  He stressed 
Nigeria could do well with "the right people in the right places." 
 
 
7.  Footnote:  According to recent press reports, Aminu has announced p 
seek a Senate seat in Adamawa in the 2003 elections. 
Jeter