WikiLeaks: US Assures Nigeria Of Good Diplomatic Ties

WikiLeaks: US Assures Nigeria Of Good Diplomatic Ties

The US State Department has assured Nigeria of good diplomatic relations despite sensitive diplomatic cables published on Nigeria .

State Department Spokesperson, Mr. Philip Crowley said in Washington D.C on the sidelines of a meeting between Secretary of State Hilary Clinton and Nigeria 's Foreign Minister, Mr. Odein Ajumogobia that the US does not want Julian Assange's activities to undermine either bilateral relationship or any regional cooperation.

The Leaks

The whistle blowing website had on Wednesday, released US diplomatic cables from Abuja and Lagos, which included a memo alleging that Royal Dutch Shell top manager in Nigeria claimed the oil company had sources inside ‘all relevant ministries' involved in its business.

The leaks also revealed that a former US Ambassador to Nigeria , Robin Sanders, told the then Acting President Goodluck Jonathan that the US government wanted Professor Maurice Iwu sacked as INEC Chairman.

The cables alleged that Iwu's sack would guarantee US government's continued assistance to Nigeria in ensuring good governance and sustainable democracy the build up to the 2011 elections.

Re-rapprochement

Mr. Crowley said the US government would be willing to answer any questions that would be raised about these issues.

He said the US government valued its relationship with Nigeria and lauded President Goodluck Jonathan's leadership of ECOWAS.

He also commended ECOWAS for taking a decisive stand on Cote d'Ivoire and recognising Alassane Ouattara as the winner of the disputed presidential election.

NAN/Qasim/Yinka