VZCZCXYZ0007
OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHUJA #2322/01 3051544
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 011544Z NOV 07
FM AMEMBASSY ABUJA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 1358
INFO RUEHDS/AMEMBASSY ADDIS ABABA PRIORITY 0164
RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS PRIORITY 0341
RUEHOS/AMCONSUL LAGOS PRIORITY 8200

UNCLAS ABUJA 002322 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
ADDIS ABABA FOR USAU 
PARIS FOR USOECD PAUL REID, CURTIS STONE 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: EAID EUN OECD NI
SUBJECT: NIGERIA: PILOTING THE PARTNERSHIP FOR DEMOCRATIC 
GOVERNANCE 
 
REF: STATE 139331 
 
¶1. (SBU) Summary:  Nigeria is an admittedly risky environment 
in which to pilot a new governance initiative, particularly 
at the state level.  Despite the risk, the establishment of 
better governance in Nigeria can have positive spillover 
effects for the rest of West Africa and the continent as a 
whole.  We therefore recommend the USG support a state-level 
pilot project here.  Embassy, ConGen Lagos, and USAID Mission 
are ready to work with UNDP, the World Bank, Dfid, other 
local and international partners, and national and state 
authorities to take advantage of growing reform efforts here 
and create a successful Partnership for Democratic Governance 
(PDG) pilot project in Nigeria.  End summary. 
 
¶2. (SBU) Nigeria has earned its reputation for poor 
governance over the years and the governance record at the 
state level is particularly poor.  Of the 36 governors in 
office at the time of the last elections, 31 were under 
investigation for corruption.  If the USG is to support one 
or more states in Nigeria as a PDG test bed, we should go 
into such an effort with our eyes wide open.  At the same 
time, the establishment of better governance in Nigeria can 
have positive spillover effects for the rest of West Africa 
and the continent as a whole.  The reform agenda of the 
current administration provides a platform for concrete 
positive change.  While some may see Nigeria as a risky 
environment in which to pilot a new governance initiative, we 
see PDG as an opportunity to support USG objectives worldwide 
of building the capacity of emerging democratic trends at the 
national, state, and local level through reform and better 
provision of essential services, leading to stronger and 
broader growth. 
 
¶3. (SBU) The current government has picked up on the 
national-level reform efforts of recent years and has 
repeatedly stated its determination to extend transparency 
legislation to the state level.  A policy and technical area 
that cries out for reform at the state level is public 
procurement.  Embassy, ConGen Lagos, and USAID are 
increasingly involved with state-level actors who declare 
their willingness to fight corruption through legislation and 
effective governance systems. 
 
¶4. (SBU) Nigeria is at an historic turning point.  The future 
of democracy and governance of Africa's most populous nation 
will become increasingly clear over the next couple of years. 
 The U.S. and other development partners are rightfully 
engaged in moving forward still-nascent reform processes.  We 
cannot afford to do otherwise.  Despite the risks, we 
strongly recommend that the USG support a state-level PDG 
pilot project here. 
 
¶5. (SBU) Political will is mixed; key figures remain more 
interested in continuing corrupt practices than in ensuring a 
better future for average Nigerians.  At the same time, the 
federal government has demonstrated interest and commitment 
to reducing corruption by establishing the Economic and 
Financial Crimes Commission, the Independent Corrupt 
Practices Commission, and the Nigeria Extractive Industries 
Transparency Initiative.  Other legislation on freedom of 
information, fiscal responsibility, and whistle blower 
protection is in the pipeline.  There is a major opportunity 
to test out such forward-looking steps in receptive states. 
Lagos State, in particular, has already taken steps to reform 
its procurement process.  PDG support could take such early 
efforts to the next level. 
 
¶6. (SBU) While there is certainly a perception that many 
government leaders are merely paying lip service to the need 
for accountability, the political environment is more 
favorable to partnerships for democratic governance than at 
any time since independence.  We stand ready to identify 
local leaders willing to work within the PDG principles. 
 
¶7. (SBU) To its credit, the Nigerian government is already 
providing funding for projects very similar to those 
envisioned in reftel, including to community service 
organizations which track public expenditures in support of 
Millennium Development Goals and projects being executed with 
moneys recovered from the family of the late Sani Abacha. 
Niger Delta state governments, particularly those of Rivers 
and Bayelsa, have initiated partnerships with the donor 
community in recent years.  With the right framework and 
incentives, we believe both the federal and some state 
governments would commit resources in support of a PDG pilot 
 
project. 
 
¶8. (SBU) We believe that national and local stakeholders 
would be open to south-south cooperation in the context of a 
PDG pilot, especially if there is adequate representation of 
local experts. 
 
¶9. (SBU) Opportunities for PDG services clearly exist.  A PDG 
pilot would likely yield the clearest results at the state 
and local level where systems are dysfunctional and 
governments are overwhelmed by lack of capacity. 
 
¶10. (SBU) In Nigeria, we recommend a PDG focus on the public 
procurement function at the state level.  While USAID does 
not have funding available to augment PDG technical 
assistance, the AID Mission and Embassy and ConGen officers 
could work with federal and state officials, PDG, and other 
donors to fashion a procurement reform initiative with a 
solid possibility of success within the PDG testbed horizon. 
UNDP, World Bank, and Dfid in-country have already told us 
they would be pleased to work closely with us on such an 
effort.  Although no new money is available, USAID is 
currently implementing activities at the state and local 
level aimed at providing officials and key staff with skills 
to carry out legislative and oversight activities in a 
transparent and democratic manner.  Focus areas include 1) 
policy reforms supportive of local governance, 2) clarified 
roles and responsibilities of the different levels of 
government, and 3) institutionalized mechanisms for citizen 
participation in government decision making processes. 
 
¶11. (SBU) In sum, "Team Nigeria" welcomes this opportunity. 
We ask that USG reps convey our willingness to work with PDG 
and Nigerian officials on a concrete and specific plan for a 
pilot here. 
PIASCIK