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DE RUEHUJA #2521/01 3590735
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 240735Z DEC 08
FM AMEMBASSY ABUJA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 4802
INFO RUEHOS/AMCONSUL LAGOS 0507
RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE
RHEBAAA/DEPT OF ENERGY WASHDC
RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHDC
RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHDC
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC
RUEKJCS/DIA WASHINGTON DC

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ABUJA 002521 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR AF/W AND AF/EX 
DEPT PASS TO USTR-AGAMA 
TREASURY FOR PETERS AND HALL 
DOC FOR 3317/ITA/OA/KBURRESS AND 3130/USFC/OIO/ ANESA/DHARRIS 
USAID/AFR/WA FOR TWAY, USAID/AFR/SD JHILL, AND USAID/EGAT MOTT 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV PHUM ECON ENRG EINV NI
SUBJECT: Nigeria: NGO Democracy Roundtable: 40 NGOs give Mixed Views 
on GON Democracy in 2008 
 
¶1. (U) Summary.  On December 16, the Ambassador hosted a roundtable 
discussion called "Looking Back on Nigeria's Democracy in 2008" with 
stakeholders from 40 civil society organizations ranging from NGO 
groups on electoral reform, democratic principals, human rights, 
faith-based organizations, media representatives, and private sector 
development.  The purpose of this roundtable was to hear the NGOs 
views of the challenges and successes of Nigeria's democratic 
process in 2008, and to discuss what the democracy frontier for 
Nigeria will look like in 2009, including the role NGOs can play. 
Discussions focused on democracy and governance, human rights, 
religious tolerance, press freedom, and private sector issues. 
There was a general consensus that the GON has not provided adequate 
governance or leadership, that there was a reverse of 
anti-corruption efforts and that without infrastructure development 
economic welfare and safety of Nigerian citizens will still be weak. 
 There was a sense that Nigeria needs some type of "non-violent 
popular revolution of ideas" to spark better leadership, a change in 
the cultural paradigm and move the country out of its political and 
economic doldrums.  However, in response to the Ambassador's direct 
question on the potential for a military coup or intervention, given 
Nigerians' level of disappointment in the government, all the 
representatives said a resounding, "NO", highlighting that the 
country has moved past this phase in its history.  Ambassador 
offered to hold a series of these NGO roundtable on going forward. 
End Summary. 
 
¶2. (U) NGO Report on GON Democracy 
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 
 
Efforts: The general consensus by the NGOs was that corruption is 
endemic through all levels of government and that there is a lack of 
good governance and accountability.  The demotion and continued 
harassment of former EFCC Chairman Mallam Nuhu Ribadu was described 
as sending a message to committed public servants that they will not 
be rewarded for honesty and dedication.  Fraud in vote counting was 
perceived as a key factor in the lack of citizen participation in 
the electoral process as their vote is seen as not affecting the 
outcome.  Violence occurring during elections and the concurrent 
lack of security evoke fear and intimidation among the electorate 
when they attempt to participate.  The upholding of the Yar'Adua 
presidency by the Supreme Court was seen by some as evidence of the 
lack of accountability in elections.  Certain sectors of society 
(re: the elites) are believed to control the key elements of 
election process and power in Nigeria, leading to a frustrated and 
disenfranchised electorate.  Remedies suggested were that the GON 
needs to fully implement the existing laws against corruption, 
enforce those laws and sensitize the Nigerian public to the cost 
that corruption levies upon their country in investment, lost 
revenues and the misuse of funds.  Participants also said the GON 
needs to provide security during elections and hold accountable 
those politicians who attempt to incite disturbances. 
 
¶3. (U) Religious Tolerance/Diversity.  Most of the participants 
believed that the religious tensions which have lead to conflict in 
Nigeria have been politically or tribally instigated.  Christian and 
Muslim leaders at the forum agreed that the various religions 
coexist peacefully in Nigeria, suggesting that religious or tribal 
factors are only used to cause dissent when some political advantage 
can be reached.  Participants suggested poverty, ignorance, poor 
leadership, and political manipulation of the electorate as key 
factors provoking religious intolerance.  They suggested that the 
government enforce existing laws, add religious tolerance to 
educational curriculum, and continue to promote the idea of being 
Nigerian first and foremost, above tribe, region or religion. 
 
¶4. (U) Human Rights.  Participants identified numerous abuses in the 
present structure towards marginalized groups including, women, 
people living with HIV/AIDS, children, victims of human trafficking, 
and activists and journalists who attempt to report on controversial 
issues.  The courts are generally seen as corrupt, with justice 
"depending on the amount of money you give to the court."  GON 
actions in the Niger Delta were specifically mentioned during this 
segment, being reported as extremely punitive and brutal.  Human 
rights activists expressed grave concern over the lack of 
documentation and reporting of human rights violations and cases, 
the police perception that trafficked women and children in the sex 
trade were criminals rather than victims, weak legislative oversight 
in monitoring and funding those agencies that attempt to monitor 
 
ABUJA 00002521  002 OF 002 
 
 
human rights, and a complete lack of political will to change the 
present atmosphere.  On children in particular, there was grave 
concern that in all cases involving youth, they are not seen as 
victims but a key factor in the problems in conflict sensitive 
areas. Participants recommended that the GON develop a comprehensive 
plan of action for Nigeria, rather than relying on the states to 
develop their own policies, which rarely get implemented.  They also 
said agencies responsible for implementation of a federal plan would 
need to be fully funded and protected against political pressure. 
One activist suggested that international aid be tied to human 
rights adherence.  Many argued strongly for better training and 
accountability for the Nigerian police and security forces, seen as 
some of the most egregious violators of human rights. 
 
¶5. (U) Media and Press Freedom.  Participants reported that press 
freedom is diminishing in Nigeria, citing increased harassment of 
journalists and other media representatives as clear evidence.  The 
media is seen to be resisting thus far, but there was great concern 
that as pressure mounts and frustration grows, more professionals 
will opt to leave the country when possible.  Politicians are 
increasingly filing legal cases against media who report on 
allegations of corruption.  These cases have not been resolved, but 
present a continuing threat against reporters and those media 
outlets who are trying to do investigative reporting.  The police 
have blocked access for reporters in several areas, most recently 
during the disturbances in Jos, allowing entrance to only selected 
reporters. 
 
 
¶6. (U) Private Sector and Democracy.   Participants expressed 
concern over the lack of an open relationship between the private 
and public sectors.  Representatives from several private sector 
firms said the GON had not provided favorable policies or the 
infrastructure needed to support private business in Nigeria.  Poor 
roads, the lack of a railway system, high taxes and interest rates, 
and inadequate power and water supply were seen as critically 
damaging to private sector development and investment.  It was noted 
that the existence of small scale industries dropped from eight 
million to two million in Nigeria from 2006 to 2008 due to stringent 
procedures, high interest charges and fees and documentation 
required from banks in order for these small businesses to obtain 
capital. Private sector representatives recommended that the GON 
provide adequate training for vocational programs to build the 
capacity of small and medium enterprises in Nigeria. Another 
recommendation was that the Nigerian government put into regulation 
that all multi-national companies operating in crucial industries 
such as the oil sector of the Niger Delta must hire and provide job 
training for a regulated proportion of residents of the community or 
what is more commonly known as the local content issue. 
 
¶7. (U) Comment:  This forum ended with participants summarizing 
their conclusions that the GON has not provided adequate governance 
or leadership.  There was reversal of anti-corruption efforts and 
that the main challenge to economic development was Nigeria's poor 
infrastructure.  It was interesting to note that not one single NGO 
thought that military intervention was possible at this point in 
Nigeria's history.  They saw their role as NGOs as trying to manage 
or in some cases encourage a popular peoples' non-violent 
"revolution" of ideas and cultural paradigm shift to move Nigeria 
forward.   The Ambassador offered to use her good offices to host 
follow-on fora where these and other civil society organizations 
could come together to develop a unified strategy or road map for 
advocating change in Nigeria.   Participants were very receptive to 
the idea of continued dialogue and further meetings of this type. 
 
SANDERS