SANDERS: Turning to the judiciary, Bankole was highly critical of its role in the electoral process. In the Speaker's view, the judiciary had over-stepped its bounds in most of the rerun gubernatorial elections, and had "tasted blood," with its new found power to influence state elections and power politics in Nigeria. Bankole claimed that he had proof that most of the judges had lined their pockets throughout the entire process of rerunning state elections, including the Supreme Court decision on President Yar'adua case in November 2008. Thus, the Speaker continued, this was why he did not support the NJC appointing the INEC chairman as he had no faith in the transparency of the judiciary.

SANDERS: {We} also did not believe that the President was unaware of the AG's corruption. Evidently not only is he aware, but also had to use the AG as the avenue to secure the Supreme Court decision, if Bankole's comments are at all true. We had also heard during the entire Supreme Court process on the Yar'Adua case (Ref d) that the judges had been heavily influenced and paid off. All and all Nigeria's electoral reform process is off to a very rocky start.

SANDERS: Given that Bankole opened the door, by implication, on the Attorney General, the Ambassador highlighted the other main USG concern: that not much progress had been made on democracy and transparency in government. The Speaker agreed. He said that the President had wanted to do a lot of things but had inherited a structure of patronage that he has thus far been unable to overcome. This included having to keep certain ministers who were less than transparent, including one "more commonly referred to by the position's initials," he said pointedly, seemingly to ensure that it was not missed that he was referring to the A.G. or Attorney General. Taking the queue and implication on board, the Ambassador asked what this particular Minister had on the President. Bankole said without hesitation he was the money conduit from Ibori to the judiciary as regards to the President's Supreme Court case. So for the moment, he is untouchable, the Speaker stated, until such time as a way can be found to slowly move him out, which for now seems unlikely. The Ambassador said that despite this, Yar'Adua is still the President and still has presidential prerogative which he could use. Bankole simply said Nigeria does not work like this.

You can read the rest of the cable here:
http://234next.com/csp/cms/sites/Next/News/National/5681717-146/wikileaks_cable_supreme_court_bribe.csp
http://www.transparencyng.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3708

how are we to believe anything from Wikileaks since most of their stories are continually debunked? Ask Oshiomole how they twisted his story.

Seun, why are you breaking your own rule all over the place?

The vice president cable case was not debunked. It was just wrongly interpreted by 234next.com
That's why instead of linking to news articles about the cable, I linked to the original cable directly.

scandalous, absolutely disgraceful.

bank ole

I think everyone needs to really understand what these cables are and what they represent. Wikileaks is not a Nigerian agency nor do they give a damn about Nigeria. Its a shame some Nigerians still think there's some agenda by wikileaks.

Let Bankole and the Supreme court justices, Jonathan et al call the US Government liars and sue them for slander if they really believe they were misquoted or whatever,
I double dare them! That's when the US will now vex and release audio recordings of the conversations sef, useless criminals all of them!

Campaign against corruption should be taken seriously iin Nigeria. It's a virus eating deep into our social fabrics. It threatens our corporate existence. And will someday trigger the demise of Nigeria as a singular entity.

I sincerely accept all methods tha need to be used to tackles corruption BUT my problem is this Wikileads whatever I seriously dont belief them for a second they came from nowhere throw the entire world into confusion am not interested in any of the stuffs at all.

Corruption must be fight and fight to finish but Wikileaks stuffs not my interest.

Brand_new:

Campaign against corruption should be taken seriously iin Nigeria. It's a virus eating deep into our social fabrics. It threatens our corporate existence. And will someday trigger the demise of Nigeria as a singular entity.

whatever will make the bolded happen is welcomed

ACN should be investitaged. I've always suspected the judgement in their favor. Salami goofed ; now see this whole mess. Oh, What a DEMOCRAZY

Daft, u should believe in Wikileaks

Brand_new:

Campaign against corruption should be taken seriously iin Nigeria. It's a virus eating deep into our social fabrics. It threatens our corporate existence. And will someday trigger the demise of Nigeria as a singular entity.

It's very simple. Vote out GEJ and his PDP ilks and we'll be taking our first step towards a full national rebirth.

The only way we can get out these corrupt rotten idiots from power is to elect credible leaders who grow stronger in the face of criticism and attacks from th dark world. Buhari and Bakare are the only ones who fit that bill. Men who can lay down their lives to strengthen the foundations of this great country. We need men of courage, men of valour, men of conscience. Why wouldn't people such as OBJ believe that this election is a do or die affair when he and his clique of treasury looters know that if BB wins this race they are doomed, their thieving arses will be exposed. Fellow Nigerians The support up north is overwhelming, lets forget about ethnic sentiments and bring about change in this country. If you care for your future and that of your children, you'll vote out this P[/b]eople [b]D[/b]eceiving [b]P[/b]eople, [b]P[/b]robably [b]D[/b]ead [b]P[/b]eople, [b]P[/b]eoples [b]D[/b]estruction [b]P[/b]arty [b]PDP. We dont need this scourge anymore. Think of a Nigeria 10-20yrs from now. Think of what you're leaving mehind for your children. What have you done to effect a change in soceity? What have you done to stop the corruption around you? Your chance is now. Now! NOw!! NOW!!! NIGERIA SAY NO TO CORRUPTION, INEPTITUDE, TRIBALISM. Say NO to a corrupt and inept police force, NO to a dead Public Service(PHCN, Customs, Immigration, Civil Service). CHANGE IS HERE! CHANGE IS HERE!! CHANGE IS HERE!!!

Do I doubt the stories from Wikileaks?- - -Not at all and there is no way their stories are twisted even though the end result is chaotic in the short run. But in the long run, it would make you and I more aware of happenings IN our country and where to make reference to hence creating room for justice which must ever prevail.

The story is out in the open, but these actors instead of attacking the issues would rather face Wikileaks and call them names of all sort. Why not face the USG for not having a better security to their files? I know everything as it has been documented by the cable is the truth and let them come out and prove them wrong.

Till date we haven't heard jack about the Shell's power on the Nigeria government with their so called installed worker in every (important) ministry of Nigeria.

New York — Shell claimed it had planted staff in all the main ministries of the Federal Government of Nigeria, giving it access to politicians' every move in the Niger Delta, according to a leaked US diplomatic cable published by the Guardian of London today.

Another leaked cable published by WikiLeaks on its website revealed the web of intrigues that surrounded the rushed return of the late President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua to the country from Saudi Arabia in February and how the US asked then Acting President Goodluck Jonathan to publicly distance himself from former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

The cable further revealed how the US requested that Professor Maurice Iwu be asked to proceed on terminal leave as chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in return for technical assistance from America for the electoral process in Nigeria.

Shell's top executive in Nigeria told US diplomats that Shell had seconded employees to every relevant department and so knew "everything that was being done in those ministries".

She also reportedly boasted that the government had "forgotten" about the extent of Shell's infiltration and were unaware of how much the company knew about its deliberations.

The cache of secret dispatches from Washington's embassies in Africa also revealed that the Anglo-Dutch oil firm swapped intelligence with the US, in one case providing US diplomats with the names of Nigerian politicians it suspected of supporting militant activity, and requesting information from the US on whether the militants had acquired anti-aircraft missiles.

The revelation about Shell in Nigeria, campaigners believe, demonstrated the tangled links between the oil firm and politicians in the country.

Cables from Nigeria show how Ann Pickard, then Shell's vice-president for sub-Saharan Africa, sought to share intelligence with the US government on militant activity and business competition in the contested Niger Delta - and how, with some prescience, she seemed reluctant to open up because of a suspicion the US government was "leaky".

But that did not prevent Pickard disclosing the company's reach into the Nigerian government when she met US ambassador Robin Renee Sanders, as recorded in a confidential memo from the US embassy in Abuja on 20 October 2009.

At the meeting, Pickard related how the company had obtained a letter showing that the Nigerian government had invited bids for oil concessions from China. She said the minister of state for petroleum resources, Odein Ajumogobia, had denied the letter had been sent but Shell knew similar correspondence had taken place with China and Russia.

According to the British newspaper, the ambassador reported: "She said the GON [government of Nigeria] had forgotten that Shell had seconded people to all the relevant ministries and that Shell consequently had access to everything that was being done in those ministries."

The WikiLeaks disclosure was seized on by campaigners as evidence of Shell's vice-like grip on the country's oil wealth. "Shell and the government of Nigeria are two sides of the same coin," said Celestine AkpoBari, programme officer for Social Action Nigeria.

"Shell is everywhere. They have an eye and an ear in every ministry of Nigeria. They have people on the payroll in every community, which is why they get away with everything. They are more powerful than the Nigerian government."

Dr. Levi Ajuonoma, a spokesman of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), said: "Shell does not control the government of Nigeria and has never controlled the government of Nigeria. This cable is the mere interpretation of one individual. It is absolutely untrue, an absolute falsehood and utterly misleading. It is an attempt to demean the government and we will not stand for that. I don't think anybody will lose sleep over it."

Pickard also said Shell had learned from the British government details of Russian energy company Gazprom's ambitions to enter the Nigerian market. In June last year, Gazprom signed a $2.5 billion deal with NNPC to build refineries, pipelines and gas power stations.

Shell put a request to the US consulate for potentially sensitive intelligence about its possible rival, which she said had secured a promise from the Nigerian government of access to 17 trillion cubic feet of natural gas - roughly a tenth of Nigeria's entire reserves. "Pickard said that amount of gas was only available if the GON were to take concessions currently assigned to other oil companies and give them to Gazprom. She assumed Shell would be the GON's prime target." Pickard alleged that a conversation with a Nigerian government minister had been secretly recorded by the Russians. Shortly after the meeting in the minister's office she received a verbatim transcript of the meeting "from Russia", according to the memo.

The cable concludes with the observation that the oil executive had tended to be guarded in discussion with US officials. "Pickard has repeatedly told us she does not like to talk to USG [US government] officials because the USG is 'leaky'." She may be concerned that . . . bad news about Shell's Nigerian operations will leak out."

The newspaper reported that Shell declined to comment on the allegations, saying: "You are seeking our views on a leaked cable allegedly containing information about a private conversation involving a Shell representative, but have declined to share this cable or to permit us sufficient time to obtain information from the person you say took part in the conversation on the part of Shell. In view of this, we cannot comment on the alleged contents of the cable, including the correctness or incorrectness of any statements you say it contains."

WikiLeaks has also published details of Jonathan's dilemma as Acting President in the last days of the late President Yar'Adua and the roles played by prominent Nigerians, especially former head of state Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, in trying to stabilise the polity following the prolonged ailment of Yar'Adua who eventually died in May 2010.

The leaked cable by the US ambassador to Nigeria at the time, Dr. Robin Sanders, is published in detail below.

SUMMARY

#1. (C) Ambassador met February 26 with Acting President (AgP) Dr. Goodluck Jonathan at the Vice President's official residence, Aguda House, in Abuja to review the current political situation following the return earlier this week of ailing President Yar'Adua. Moves are afoot, between Jonathan and key northerners in the lead such as former Head of State Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, to encourage the Yar'Adua family to let go and let the President resign with dignity. This will allow Jonathan to serve as interim President until elections and also allow him to designate a vice president. Given the dysfunctional level of the current Cabinet, Jonathan said that once this happens, he will dissolve the cabinet, after consulting with the Council of State. Both moves, he believes, will appease Northern politicians, as he suspects that more northerners will support the resignation idea. Jonathan claims he wants to do a good job over the next 12 months, and leave a legacy of credible elections, electoral reform, including replacing the Independent National Electoral Commission's (INEC) chairman and all of the commissioners. He promised the Ambassador that he would look at her suggestion of using terminal leave for the INEC chairman, which could have him out earlier than June. The Acting President also agreed to allow U.S.-UK technical assistance to help improve the voter registry and provide for a parallel vote tabulation. He expects things to calm down in the next 10-14 days, will not leave the country until things are resolved, and has opened channels with the military. Chief of Army Staff (COAS) was leaving Jonathan's private office when Ambassador was entering.

WHO'S IN CHARGE?

#2. (C) Jonathan told the Ambassador "everyone's confused" about who is in charge of Nigeria. There has been an increase in the level of uncertainty in the internal political situation following ailing President Yar'Adua's return, which was shrouded in secrecy, during the early hours February 24. The AgP said he was "unhappy" that the first statement issued following Yar'Adua's return referred to Jonathan as "Vice President." The GON issued a second statement February 25 that reversed course and refers to Jonathan as the Acting President. Jonathan said that the Villa received a lot of pressure to correct this error so that the lines of leadership and executive direction were clear.

#3. (C) The AgP lamented, "This terrible situation in the country today has been created by four people: Turai Yar'Adua [the ailing President's wife], his Chief Security Officer (CSO) [Yusuf Mohammed Tilde], his Aide-de-Camp (ADC)[Col. Mustapha Onoedieva] and Professor Tanimu Yakubu [Yar'Adua's Chief Economic Advisor]." The AgP said he does not know their motives, but expected it was likely for nefarious purposes. He added Minister of Agriculture Abba Ruma and Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Adamu Aliero had provided a second-tier of layering to the bubble surrounding Yar'Adua. The AgP noted that "people are angry," and did not want to allow those surrounding Yar'Adua to replicate the control and access similar to what they had done in Jeddah for the past three months.

#4. (C) Jonathan said the CSO and ADC saw him separately to let him know that they did not intend to mistreat the AgP and expressed their willingness to work with him (which the AgP doubts). The AgP said he told them both "then the best thing is to stop the charade." The AgP told the Ambassador he believes Yar'Adua is in a semi-comatose state without an understanding of what is going on around him.

ENCOURAGE PRESIDENT TO RESIGN

#5. (C) The AgP said that Former Head of State Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, who according to Jonathan has become one of his closest advisors, worked out a strategy where he would reach out to other former Nigerian Heads of State, including former Head of State Gen. Yakubu Gowon, to approach those closest to Yar'Adua, especially his wife Turai, to try to convince them that the best, and most dignified step to take for the country and for Yar'Adua as a human being would be for the President to resign. This action would constitutionally make Jonathan Nigeria's President. Doing such would also be easier than convincing two-thirds of the 42-member Federal Executive Committee (FEC) to declare the ailing President "physically incapacitated and medically unfit" to continue in the office of the Presidency. Jonathan said he and his wife, Patience, visited Turai as a humanistic gesture to express their best wishes for the recovery of Yar'Adua and out of respect for his ailing boss. The AgP said under no circumstances did he want Turai to come to his official residence.

#6. (C) Once Yar'Adua resigns and Jonathan becomes interim President, he said he would choose a Vice President that could appease the Northerners by working with them to identify a candidate. AgP Jonathan also shared that until Yar'Adua resigns, and things come down he would not leave the country. (N.B. This is in reference to the POTUS invitation to attend the April 12-13 Nuclear Security Summit). The issue of identifying a northerner as a vice presidential candidate, Jonathan underscored this appears to be the thing most on the minds of the northerners as they feel cheated out of the Presidency with Yar'Adua's illness.

FEARS ABOUT MILITARY

#7. (C) Jonathan said "everyone, including the Army Chief of Staff (COAS) [LTG Abdulrahman Bello Dambazau] and Chief of the President Guards Brigade [BG Abdul Mustapha]" are concerned about the confusion over who is the executive of the nation. The AgP said the military chiefs are making sure no politicians are reaching out to the rank-and-file, and encouraging the military to stay in the barracks so that the uncertain political situation does not generate coup-like behavior emanating from the mid-ranks because of the confusion. As the Ambassador began her meeting with the Acting President, he had just concluded a meeting with COAS LTG Dambazau (see reftel A for Ambassador's conversation with the COAS February 24).

USG ADVICE: BECOME A NATIONAL FIGURE

#8. (C) Based on points developed telephonically with Assistant Secretary Carson (ref B), Ambassador encouraged Jonathan to change the perception that he is a regional figure, and be seen, rather, as a national figure who has the best interest of the nation at heart. Ambassador expressed that given that the U.S. and Nigeria are very best friends, we feel the need to share our concerns, as any good friend would do, and that we are counting on him to steer Nigeria through this troubled and uncertain period. At the moment, Jonathan's detractors believe he is a surrogate for former President Obasanjo. Ambassador advised the AgP that he needs to publicly demonstrate that he is the sole executor of national issues, not being directed or serving a political purpose for Obasanjo or others, so that his leadership would not be in question and the polity would accept that he had the best interest of nation at hand. The AgP said he appreciated our advice, including publicly holding Obasanjo at arms length. He said he would consider taking steps, including possibly convoking the entire diplomatic corps to brief them on the current political climate, using this and other events to demonstrate that he is his own man, and diminish the appearance he is a regional leader.

#9. (C) Jonathan noted that the Northern politicians would always be uncomfortable with him as president, and he understood the ruling People's Democratic Party (PDP) picked him as Yar'Adua's running mate in 2007 because he represented the Niger Delta. Jonathan said he was handling Niger Delta issues until the Ministry for Niger Delta Affairs was created in September 2008, allowing him to distance himself from being viewed as someone who could only work on that issue. "I was not chosen to be Vice President because I had good political experience," he said. "I did not. There were a lot more qualified people around to be Vice President, but that does not mean I am not my own man." However, he said, with the changed circumstances, the AgP said that his sole focus is to leave a legacy of both electoral reform and credible elections, including changing the entire Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The AgP said he was appreciative of the Ambassador's remarks made during the National Day reception February 25 and Assistant Secretary Carson's February 24 statement because both provided him with the courage to press forward.

#10. (C) Jonathan shared initially, he had the intention to dissolve the Cabinet early the week of February 22, and had planned to make that announcement at the February 24 FEC meeting, but found out that Yar'Adua was returning, and thus dissuaded him from acting. He said the last Cabinet meeting was disastrous and included yelling and screaming, and it is totally dysfunctional. He said he is "not a politician" and had very limited experience as an administrator, but concluded, "I will not tolerate a brawl." Jonathan said he will dissolve the Cabinet once he knows people are more comfortable with him being the Acting President or if the current strategy to convince Yar'Adua surrogates and family members to allow the ailing president to resign.

ELECTORAL REFORM AND INEC

#11. (C) Jonathan agreed to the USG offer of technical assistance to review and update Nigeria's national voter registry and funding for a Parallel Voter Tabulation (PVT). The AgP asked us for a letter formally offering this assistance (NB: we are providing to him today). The Ambassador noted the technical assistance could begin as early as the end of March with his approval (which he gave) with software installed that can assist with cleaning up the voter registry.

#12. (C) On the INEC Chairman, Ambassador told the AgP that the USG would not continue any election assistance if [Professor Maurice] Iwu remains on seat after June 2010. She described the meeting between A/S Carson and Iwu, noting the latter showed no signs of respect for good governance. The AgP said he understood the USG would not be able to continue providing technical assistance if the current INEC chairman remains beyond his five-year mandate that ends in June 2010. Ambassador raised the issue of using Iwu's terminal leave to get him out sooner. The AgP said he would ask the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) to inquire if the current chair could take terminal leave, which could have him out as soon as next month. Jonathan again said that once he solidifies his position as Acting President or President, and that once the political environment is less uncertain, he would begin taking steps to replace all thirteen of INEC's commissioners, and work toward replacing Iwu earlier than June provided he can confirm the amount of terminal leave Iwu has. However, the AgP noted this would not be easy, but he is committed to seeing this through.

#13. (C) Jonathan said he does not anticipate standing for elections in 2011 and that he is not working towards being a presidential candidacy. He wants to put into place an electoral structure that will be ready for national elections. He did, however, note that, "if they want me to run, that will be something to consider at that time." However, he stressed that his focus now and for the next 12 months will be on "doing a good job and witnessing respectable and credible elections in 2011."

FIRM UP THE PARTNERSHIP AGAINST TERRORISM

#14. (S) Ambassador raised with the AgP the case of Mohamed Ibrahim Ahmed (aka "Talha". Talha was indicted earlier this week in New York on terrorism charges. Nigeria's State Security Service (SSS) was about to release Talha onto an international flight before Nigerian police intervened and took him into custody. Ambassador underscored that the SSS' close call in violating an Interpol Red Notice would not be helpful in making the case for Nigeria's removal from the U.S. Transportation Safety Administration List of "Countries of Concern." Ambassador also asked that SSS appear as witnesses when requested to demonstrate Nigeria remains a partner to the U.S. in the international fight against terrorism. She added that at least at the Director level, SSS not only knew about the Interpol notice, but simply said they did not want to hold him any longer. Ambassador added that the GON police forces did the right thing and stepped in to block the suspect from boarding the plane. He is now in police custody. Ambassador officially requested that he be turned over to the FBI agents here to escort him to the U.S. to stand trial.

#15. (S) The AgP said he would call in SSS Director General Gadzama to clarify the security agency's role in Talha's near-release and that if the three SSS officers implicated had taken such action without authorization, they would face serious implications, including termination. Ambassador also took the opportunity to request Jonathan stop repeating that the December 25 attempting bombing case involving Nigerian Abdulmutallab was an "one-off aberration" and that Nigeria indeed does have foreign terrorist links and elements operating in country, as exemplified by Talha.

COMMENT

#16. (C) After two days of uncertainty, that included signals of competing heads of state emanating from the dueling titular references within a Villa press release, it appears that Jonathan has plans to firmly take the reigns of the presidency, with the support from key northerners and the senior leadership of the military. As the Ambassador stepped out of her meeting, at least two Ministers and a Governor were waiting to consult with the Acting President. The Acting President's bottom line is that he would do his best in the job in the next twelve months. He also wanted to ensure we understood he would "not be manipulated by anyone." We believe the USG is firmly placed to advance our bilateral agenda, including the creation of an environment conducive to free, fair, and credible elections with the approval and assistance of Nigeria's de facto head of state. Even if he decides to contest for the presidency, Jonathan seems sincere in wanting to leave a lasting legacy of electoral reform for Africa's most populous nation. It is always hard to judge how some will behave (or surprise you) when leadership is unexpectedly thrown in their lap. The verdict is out on Jonathan and his previously underwhelming personality and performance needs to keep us in the cautious lane, but so far, so good. Things are quiet. The COAS is doing the right things. Jonathan is reaching out to key respected northerners, like Abdulsalami, which we see as a good thing. Our next steps should be to continue to encourage the AgP on the right path; help on the push back on Obasanjo through former and current USG officials; and, if the drum beat calling for the ailing President to resign picks up speed, we should ensure that we indicate our support for this given that it probably the best thing for the country. END COMMENT. SANDERS

http://allafrica.com/stories/201012090118.html

wow.

sledge406:

Do I doubt the stories from Wikileaks?- - -Not at all and there is no way their stories are twisted even though the end result is chaotic in the short run. But in the long run, it would make you and I more aware of happenings IN our country and where to make reference to hence creating room for justice which must ever prevail.

The story is out in the open, but these actors instead of attacking the issues would rather face Wikileaks and call them names of all sort. Why not face the USG for not having a better security to their files? I know everything as it has been documented by the cable is the truth and let them come out and prove them wrong.

Till date we haven't heard jack about the Shell's power on the Nigeria government with their so called installed worker in every (important) ministry of Nigeria.

You won't hear nada! 'cos our minister for petroleum is a former Shell staff.

If I may ask, where is Nigeria my country heading to?

Tell me something new and better jor

This wikileaks stuff is coming out at the very time Nigeria is trying to pass the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) that will see the nations income multiply by 7 in the future; from $101.5billion to $680billion (eye popping!).
The oil companies, especially Shell (that is claimed to own Nigeria) are very averse to Nigeria's bid for freedom and increased earnings. They will go to several lengths to attempt to embarrass and frustrate govt, especially as its election time.

There's much more to 234Nexts sponsored behaviour at this time.

[size=14pt]‘PIB to Push Nigeria’s Oil Revenue to $680bn’[/size]
02 Mar 2011


Diezani Alison-Madueke, Petroleum Resources Minister

Nigeria’s annual revenue from oil and gas operations in the country is expected to shoot up to about $680 billion when the much-awaited Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) is passed into law.

This is just as the federal government has attributed the boost in Nigeria’s average earnings which currently stand at over $282 million per day from crude oil based on the combined daily production figure of crude and condensate to the success of the Amnesty Programme.

http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/-pib-to-push-nigeria-s-oil-revenue-to-680bn-/87069/

I am surprised that Nairalanders are surprised at events such as this. It's not as though we ever had it any better, so why the ?

We all know that the Judiciary has long been heavily compromised by PDP thugs, there's no point dropping jaws over this.

U de vex?:

This wikileaks stuff is coming out at the very time Nigeria is trying to pass the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) that will see the nations income multiply by 7 in the future; from $101.5billion to $680billion (eye popping!).
The oil companies, especially Shell (that is claimed to own Nigeria) are very averse to Nigeria's bid for freedom and increased earnings. They will go to several lengths to attempt to embarrass and frustrate govt, especially as its election time.

There's much more to 234Nexts sponsored behaviour at this time.


http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/-pib-to-push-nigeria-s-oil-revenue-to-680bn-/87069/

Na wa oo . . . . I see you are still pulling stuff out of your arse still. What has this reveal to do with PIB? Do the judges in question have any link to PIB? Is PIB the first bill to be considered by the house and senate, even this year? Is 234Next Against the PIB Bill? Is 234Next in cahoots with Wikileaks? Is Bankole responsible for the leak? I mean wetin come connect the two for ya head?

Anyone found an actual link to the original wikileak?

Kobojunkie:

Anyone found an actual link to the original wikileak?

It is exclusive to 234next and maybe you can only find it in their printed newspaper, they also did not publish the actual original cable so i won't buy into this fully at the moment.

Wikileaks is not exclusive to 234Next. I am not able myself to search mirrors for this but seems there are those who have confirmed the document, only I haven't.

Pharoh:

It is exclusive to 234next and maybe you can only find it in their printed newspaper, they also did not publish the actual original cable so i won't buy into this fully at the moment.

I'm not pointing fingers at next (though it seems difficult not to, lol), but how can their recent spate of very poor, but damaging news stories be explained?

Kobojunkie:

Wikileaks is not exclusive to 234Next. I am not able myself to search mirrors for this but seems there are those who have confirmed the document, only I haven't.

I know but they claimed that the recent cables are exclusives to them so maybe they will be the one to give it out to their media outlets or should i say they have the right to first access. I will go to their site and post the exact statement they made about this exclusivity, they also claimed to have the total cables about Nigeria which was about 250,000. I do know that the initial total cable for Nigeria was about 4,600 so i don't know where 234next got this large amount of cables.

U de vex?:

I'm not pointing fingers at next (though it seems difficult not to, lol), but how can their recent spate of very poor, but damaging news stories be explained?

Well to me i would say when they start deviating from their initial principles then this is bound to happen, same thing with Sahara reports. They all started very well but these days so many questionable actions that you would want to think if they have been bribed or taken sides in these whole issues. The most important thing is to figure out their motives and whose interest they are trying to serve, we never can tell but surely their credibility is not the same as before.

Kobojunkie:

Wikileaks is not exclusive to 234Next. I am not able myself to search mirrors for this but seems there are those who have confirmed the document, only I haven't.

Here is the link and read the very first statement, another cable just came out today about the acting vice president.

http://234next.com/csp/cms/sites/Next/Home/5681720-146/worldwide_exclusive_the_complete_wikileaks_cables.csp

yeahhh, what more do you expect from a banana republic, is all gud.

Did a meeting take place between Bankole and sanders---- Yes, Did Bankole say all that to sanders --- I doubt, of what benefit would it be for bankole to expose that to sanders, He would be shooting himself on the foot for that because by proxy he is also implicating himself being a member of the ruling party and was close to yar'dua, we should also note that the reports was made by sanders, its a second- person view on happenings in most of the released cables, and we have Bankole coming out to debunk this allegations against him claiming his meeting lasted with Sanders for 20 mins and in the presence of the house leadership
http://www.thenews.com.pk/NewsDetail.aspx?ID=12236

---Are we gonna believe him or not ?, its all a "He say She say" situation here and I would not rush to take in everything published by wikileaks given the huge cry and outrage by most of the stuff leaked by countries worldwide.

babasoty:

Did a meeting take place between Bankole and sanders---- Yes, Did Bankole say all that to sanders --- I doubt, of what benefit would it be for bankole to expose that to sanders, He would be shooting himself on the foot for that because by proxy he is also implicating himself being a member of the ruling party and was close to yar'dua, we should also note that the reports was made by sanders, its a second- person view on happenings in most of the released cables, and we have Bankole coming out to debunk this allegations against him claiming his meeting lasted with Sanders for 20 mins and in the presence of the house leadership
http://www.thenews.com.pk/NewsDetail.aspx?ID=12236

---Are we gonna believe him or not ?, its all a "He say She say" situation here and I would not rush to take in everything published by wikileaks given the huge cry and outrage by most of the stuff leaked by countries worldwide.

What else were you expecting Bankole to do? To come out publicly and confess that he made such damning revelation? Abeg make you reason through it o!

When GEJ tried to bribe Bakare with $50,000 transport fare, they did not out-rightly deny that money was offered they only argued that the money was not meant as a bribe. Bankole has just done the same thing. He has not denied meeting with Sanders, but contending what they discussed about. The real question should have been, what does Sanders stand to gain if she lied about Bankole's confessions?

Let someone sue if it's false!