Cablegate: Warri Elections Postponed Again, Rescheduled For

This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.

300616Z Nov 04

UNCLAS LAGOS 002396

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PINR KDEM SOCI CASC NI
SUBJECT: WARRI ELECTIONS POSTPONED AGAIN, RESCHEDULED FOR
DECEMBER 2

REF: LAGOS 2383

1. Late November 26, the Delta State government again
postponed the Warri local council elections. Delta State
Independent Electoral Commission (DSIEC) representatives
reportedly announced the elections were being postponed for
"logistical reasons." The elections are rescheduled for
December 2.

2. Edwin Clark, a prominent Ijaw chief, told Poloff he and
many others in Warri believe the elections were postponed for
fear of violence, not logistical gaps. Clark said the Ijaw
concerns about the elections (reftel) remain unaddressed and
the court still has not ruled on whether the elections can go
ahead. He said if the elections are held December 2, Ijaws
will not only boycott them but "take action" to stop them.

3. Comment: Though Clark does not control Ijaw militants, he
has been publicly vocal intimating violence, and his
statements likely reflect sentiments of militants. Tensions
remain high and the possibility for violence remains
considerable if elections are held December 2. End comment.
BROWNE

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