http://234next.com/csp/cms/sites/Next/Home/5683783-146/story.csp

Although he was the nation’s number two citizen at the time, the United States did not consider Goodluck Jonathan worthy of inclusion in a list of our country’s most influential personalities of the period. On October 24, 2008, former US ambassador Robin Sanders sent a cable to her principals in Washington detailing “a list of Nigerian leaders who would play a major role in keeping Nigeria either on track, off track, or trying to put it back on track”.

Justifying the rationale for drawing up the list, Ms. Sanders said, “Understanding who matters, not what matters, is often half the battle in Nigeria.”

Arguing that Nigeria lost its way as soon as Umaru Yar’Adua, now deceased, took over as president, Ms. Sanders said her list contained administration officials, businesspersons and other individuals “who wield tremendous influence and can shape the outcome of whatever current crisis is threatening to unsettle the country”.

But conspicuously missing on the list — which had Turai, the late president’s wife, members of Mr. Yar’Adua inner circle, some governors, legislators, businesspersons, regional leaders and traditional rulers — was our country’s vice president at the time. It is curious that he was omitted from the list despite being a person of tremendous influence in the Niger Delta region and presiding over the amnesty programme (which tried to get the Niger Delta insurgency to abandon militancy). He also performed his very important constitutional role of overseeing the National Economic Council at the time.

The exclusive list

In seven categories, the Americans named their top five most influential people constituting of governors, businessmen, military, traditional leaders, and politicians who would determine Nigeria’s future. Number one on the list was Turai Yar‘Adua, the president‘s wife, who was described as “having a vicious personality; causes great fear among ministers”. It was revealed that ‘Mrs. President’, as she was known, begged her husband “to stay the course as president” when two weeks earlier he had wanted to step aside.”

US officials had contempt for Michael Aondoakaa, Nigeria‘s attorney general at the time, who was tagged “not to be trusted” despite being in Mr. Yar’Adua’s inner circle. The minister was compared to Darth Vader, a character synonymous with evil in the Star Wars movies. He was condemned for his interference in the prosecution of disgraced ex-Delta State governor, James Ibori, and his cronies; and his role in the removal of Nuhu Ribadu as chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission. Also mentioned as part of President Yar’Adua’s inner circle were wealthy businessman, Dahiru Mangal, said to have close links to fundamentalists in the north; Taminu Yakubu, the president‘s chief economic advisor, believed to be involved in unlawful enrichment schemes; and Yayale Ahmed, present secretary to the government of the federation (SGF) and a former classmate of President Yar’Adua’s. The only time the US ambassador mentioned Mr. Jonathan was while making reference to Edwin Clark, a former commissioner of information with seeming influence over Niger Delta militants, and access to the former VP. While Mr. Jonathan was ignored, House of Representatives’ member, Farouk Lawan, was recognised for “spearheading the removal of corrupt Speaker of the House Patricia Etteh”; while Ledum Mittee, leader of the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP) was also acknowledged for his efforts in the Niger Delta, ironically the region Mr. Jonathan comes from, and where he had served as deputy and later governor of Bayelsa State.

A cocky senate president

Under a special category, the Senate President, David Mark, holder of the nation’s number three position, was portrayed as “cocky and brash”. A former military general described as a “Babangida boy”, Mr. Mark was regarded as an opportunist who would capitalise on a Supreme Court annulment of President Yar’Adua’s 2007 election to head the country. According to the US cable, Mr. Mark, a supporter of President Obasanjo’s third term bid, had reportedly spent millions of dollars to keep his Senate seat. There were reports, the cable said, that Chief Justice Kutigi was looking into allegations that Mr. Mark bribed judges in order to ensure that he won his appeal against an Electoral Tribunal ruling (the Tribunal largely ruled against Mark).

The governors’ caucus

Five northern governors were singled out for wielding “tremendous influence”. The Kano State Governor, Ibrahim Shekerau, under the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) was described as a “disappointment as he has done little for his state”. It was however remarked that he “helped stop PDP from stealing state elections in 2003 and 2007”.

American concerns also dwelt on a key advisor to Mr. Yar’Adua, the Kwara State governor, Bukola Saraki, and his family, who the US say was “involved in some questionably illicit deals”. The Saraki family was also accused of choosing current EFCC chairperson, Farida Waziri, in order to avoid prosecution. Five southern governors also made the list. The US official noted that Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State under the Action Congress party (AC) “leads the most populous state in the country (despite what the 2006 census claimed)”. In the Niger-Delta, Timipre Sylva of Bayelsa State was quoted as telling the American ambassador he received $700 million in oil revenue yearly, while his Rivers State counterpart, Rotimi Amaechi, received $1 billion yearly in oil receipts. Both governors were said to be supporters of the military’s Joint Task Force against militants in the Niger Delta.

Godfathers, traditional leaders and elders

Past heads of state and presidents were listed as political godfathers. Ibrahim Babangida was defined as “always a factor in Nigeria‘s politics”; Yakubu Gowon and Shehu Shagari were said to “both command respect from the street and elite”; while Muhammadu Buhari was described as having “showed principled positions on anti-corruption and electoral issues” in the 2007 elections. It was different for former military ruler and president, Olusegun Obasanjo, whose political influence was described as waning while being termed as “exceptionally wealthy”. Also in the exclusive list were traditional rulers, notably the Ooni of Ife, the Obi of Onitsha, the Emir of Kano, the Lamido of Adamawa, the Emir of Zazzau, and the Emir of Katsina, who the cable said helped in the past to broker elite compromises.

Business friends

US diplomats constantly looked for who had the ears of the “elite” in government. They, in turn, wormed their way up to those personalities. In the cable, Ms. Sanders said she knew well and had access to Aliko Dangote, “a major PDP financier”; and Jim Ovia of Zenith Bank, “with whom the Mission enjoyed a favourable relationship on a number of public diplomacy and AID projects.”

Also on the US list were Femi Otedola of Zenon Oil and Ndi-Okereke Onyiuke, then director-general of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), both close associates to former president Olusegun Obasanjo. Ms. Onyiuke’s relationship with stockbrokers was termed “questionable” for reportedly manipulating shares in favour of her friends. The Ibru family, running strings of companies, including Oceanic Bank and the Guardian Newspaper, were also identified as personalities the US government should watch. Peter Esele, the Trade Union Congress leader, and Olisa Agbakoba, the former Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) president, were mentioned along with Dimeji Bankole, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and Nigeria’s number four man, as being part of the younger generation of influential Nigerians.

Also of concern to Ms. Sanders was President Yar’Adua’s aide de camp (ADC), Mustapha Onoyiveta, whom she concluded, “we believe he is not to be trusted”. The American ambassador said Mr. Onoyiveta, an army colonel, and primarily responsible for Mr. Yar’Adua’s personal security, was to be watched “closely”.

“We also have heard (including from Governor Saraki) that he is not loyal to Yar’Adua,” the ambassador said. “We believe he is a wild card, being the man standing behind Yar’Adua, primarily responsible for his personal security

his godfathers IBB,OBJ havent yet made the list and you talk of GEJ. that man is a clown.no vision and no mission. the debate will expose him, imagine tunde bakare vs GEJ. i dey laugh

Why should GEJ be mentioned in a roll call of criminals like Ibori, Turai, Aondokaa, Tanimu Yakubu etc?
Its a silly article from a mind that doesn't have any logical grasp.

chuks01:

his godfathers IBB,OBJ havent yet made the list and you talk of GEJ. that man is a clown.no vision and no mission. the debate will expose him, imagine tunde bakare vs GEJ. i dey laugh

Did you read the article at all?


It is unfortunate the the president's ADC was more important in the grand scheme of things than the VP, even Dimeji Bankole's name was mentioned,


I am beginning to think that GEJ is an ediot both in person and in spirit.

fstranger3:

Did you read the article at all?


It is unfortunate the the president's ADC was more important in the grand scheme of things than the VP, even Dimeji Bankole's name was mentioned,


I am beginning to think that GEJ is an ediot both in person and in spirit.

You might have seen your own reflection. Yar Adua's name is not on the list either.

Beaf:

You might have seen your own reflection. Yar Adua's name is not on the list either.

He was mentioned 13 times in the article. Obviously, the most important personality in any sovereign country is the President.
The fact that GEJ's name was omitted is an indication that he was more of a figure head than anything else. Unlike Diya under Abcha, Ekwueme, Atiku and other VPs, his role in the administration was a redundant, silly, non-influential one.

fstranger3:

He was mentioned 13 times in the article. Obviously, the most important personality in any sovereign country is the President.
The fact that GEJ's name was omitted is an indication that he was more of a figure head than anything else. Unlike Diya under Abcha, Ekwueme, Atiku and other VPs, his role in the administration was a redundant, silly, non-influential one.

He was mentioned 13 times, but he wasn't mentioned as being on the list. Turai was number one, Ibori was also prominent, or are you blind?
. . .Anyways, that why I say you looked in the mirror. lol

By the way, your title calls God a mumu, that doesn't say much about the quality of your mind in most peoples books.

"Great nations are not built on good luck"- Bakare. Luk @ Buhari's description in d cable_ he's against corruption.

Past heads of state and presidents were listed as political godfathers. Ibrahim Babangida was defined as “always a factor in Nigeria‘s politics”; Yakubu Gowon and Shehu Shagari were said to “both command respect from the street and elite”; while Muhammadu Buhari was described as having “showed principled positions on anti-corruption and electoral issues” in the 2007 elections. It was different for former military ruler and president, Olusegun Obasanjo, whose political influence was described as waning while being termed as “exceptionally wealthy”. Also in the exclusive list were traditional rulers, notably the Ooni of Ife, the Obi of Onitsha, the Emir of Kano, the Lamido of Adamawa, the Emir of Zazzau, and the Emir of Katsina, who the cable said helped in the past to broker elite compromises.

we all know what needs to be known about gej - i am not experienced - i was selected to pacify the nd

and from yesterdays next wikileak article, it is clear that gej became bayelsa governor because of objs vendeatta against alams for supporting atiku - selected for the fact that he is a weak willed mindless dunce

Please refrain from refering to the president in such derogatory terms.

oyb:

we all know what needs to be known about gej - i am not experienced - i was selected to pacify the nd

and from yesterdays next wikileak article, it is clear that gej became bayelsa governor because of objs vendeatta against alams for supporting atiku - selected for the fact that he is a weak willed mindless dunce

aisha2 the mod has warned you oh, you all know that there's no freedom of speech on this forum, I'm surprised they didnt even delete your post at will, thats what dem numb skulls normally do. We need to pass FOI bill on this forum abi na first amendment

The US official noted that Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State under the Action Congress party (AC) “leads the most populous state in the country (despite what the 2006 census claimed)”.

In case there was any doubt about the relative population of Kano State and Lagos State, this should be enough to convince most about what is what.

Census figures in Nigeria are screwy.

how can his name be mentioned obviously he is not visional

One way to attribute value to that list - is when clueless individuals are not included.

Why would my amiable GEJ be in this group of most corrupt Nigerians! Influntial used here is just an Euphemism for Corrupt

obviously he's not, else people like fayose should have a slot in that article,

Ms Sanders,so your list will definitely shape Nigeria?bullshit

"while Muhammadu Buhari was described as having “showed principled positions on anti-corruption and electoral issues” in the 2007 elections. " Even foreign diplomats are able to see this about this man. I wonder why despite what PDP has done to us in the last 12 years, my fellow Nigerians are still going for a PDP figure head (GEJ). GEJ has not done anything beside pegging fuel price @ 65 naira / litre since he's been in power.

Folks we need Buhari in the house to clean up this mess. Sorry for going off point on this tread.

Abeg how do you bold stuff you want to reply to?

In Diz Wryt Up:Ndi Onyiuke Wit Questionable Character,The Ibru Family,d US Goverment Should Watch,David Mark Bribed Hiz Way,Mustapha Onoyiveta,Not 2 be Trusted,Bukola Saraki,Wild Card,etc.Are All diz CRIMINALS Part Of d INFLUENCIAL Nigerians ? So Y Should GEJ b Compared Wit Dem.U Guyz Should Read In btw d Lines.d US Ambsador Used d Word Influencial,But Wat She ACTUALLY Mean Is dat dey are Criminals d US Gov SHOULD Watch.

Godfathers, traditional leaders and elders

Past heads of state and presidents were listed as political godfathers. Ibrahim Babangida was defined as “always a factor in Nigeria‘s politics”; Yakubu Gowon and Shehu Shagari were said to “both command respect from the street and elite”; while Muhammadu Buhari was described as having “showed principled positions on anti-corruption and electoral issues” in the 2007 elections. It was different for former military ruler and president, Olusegun Obasanjo, whose political influence was described as waning while being termed as “exceptionally wealthy”. Also in the exclusive list were traditional rulers, notably the Ooni of Ife, the Obi of Onitsha, the Emir of Kano, the Lamido of Adamawa, the Emir of Zazzau, and the Emir of Katsina, who the cable said helped in the past to broker elite compromise,

All these so called traditional leaders are disgrace to their subjects in whatever kingdom they represent. iThis is a big shame,
This article has proved that Oba of Benin and Sultan of Sokoto are incorruptible and still represent the tradition of their people.

Its a silly article from a mind that doesn't have any logical grasp.

I don't seem to understand this 123 or abc people. Are there actually reporters or politicians. Whether for good or for bad, is GEJ the only prominent name missing in the article. Why would a "reporting" newspaper be the one to raise the alarm about it. They should just report and let Nigerians say "look, this or that name was not included".

GEJ is not the best Nigeria can offer but he is the best option we have for now. Let's all pray for a better option come 2015. by then old cargoes like BB and TB would have been cleared out of the store room.

I hope this is not some political stuff to put d president's name in d mess, and all this silly comments? In fact, i dont hav d time. Rubbish! **hisses and walks away from thread**

@Poster, is your Papa name in the lists, so why messing another man up

I wonder why my name is not in that list.

You mean they ommited RETARDeen, ABDUL-clueless, Ade-mumu ODEchukwu from the list?

guy we all know dat d presi in a country is d influential person in dat country GEJ is d most infleuntial y do people dont talk fact

Most influential and Mr Jonathan can not appear on the same paper

but talk about most influenced, then you can mention Mr Jonathan

He was the number two person at the time of the listing(not very influential). Now he is the number one man (most influential) so what is your point?

how can number 2 person not be among most influential, when no 3(mark) and 4(Bankole) were considered among the most influential Nigerians

Relevance of a foreign list of propaganda is certainly not a concern to Nigerians.

OAM4J:

how can number 2 person not be among most influential, when no 3(mark) and 4(Bankole) were considered among the most influential Nigerians

I don’t know what constitutional powers the vice president has unlike the speaker and senate president.  The case of GEJ was worse because he did not have access to the then president.

YOUR CALLING PERSON WHO HAVE NOT BEEN IN THE SIT FOR A YEAR
GEJ/SAMBO 2011 ALL THE WAY
JUST TO CRITICIZE HIS POLITICAL AMBITIONS
PATHETIC