The earliest reference found by the Research Directorate to a group called Youth Earnestly Ask for Abacha (YEAA) is dated 12 June 1997 and refers to them as holding a pro-Abacha rally in Lagos on that day (IPS). In describing YEAA, the Birmingham Post explained that the group held seminars and rallies "to extol the benefits of 'Abachism'" (22 Apr. 1998). Likewise, Europa said that the "newly-established" YEAA was one of a number of organizations that held rallies in support of Abacha's election as President (1998, 2557).

Africa Research Bulletin referred to YEAA as the most "fanatical" group in its support of Abacha as a candidate for President (20 Mar. 1998, 13002). According to Daniel Kanu, YEAA's leader, "the destiny of this nation and the transition to democracy under the present dispensation can only achieve its viable potentials if handled by prudent, purposeful, and transparent leadership of General Abacha" (ibid.). The Post Express reported Johnbull Adebanjo, YEAA's South-west Zone Coordinator, as saying that YEAA's desire to have Abacha continue as president "was informed by the need to have a stable and virile Nigeria" (17 May 1998). Adebanjo said that other parties were not capable of presenting "the right leaders whose characters would appeal to the generality of Nigerians as that of Abacha's" (ibid.). YEAA "patron", Emeka Mbudem, affirmed that the organization's members were impressed "by the way Abacha wielded power in previous regimes without being selfish" and went on to characterize the United Action for Democracy (UAD) as violent and anti-democratic (ibid.). Africa Research Bulletin reported that YEAA had distributed free exMqrcise books to schools, that it had plans to distribute subsidized imported "Abacha Rice" and that it had bought two new buses, equipped with speakers and modern communications equipment (20 Mar. 1998 13002).

Some sources identify the organizers of the "Two Million Youth March" held in Abuja from 3-5 March 1998, as the National Council of Youth Associations of Nigeria (Naycan) (Voice of Nigeria 4 Mar. 1998), or The National Committee of Youth Associations (NCYA) (West Africa 2-15 Mar. 1998), or YEAA (CRP 1998; Keesing's Mar. 1998). Both Europa and the CRP stated that this rally prompted pro-democracy groups to organize counter demonstrations (1998, 2557; 1998). Keesing's stated that several hundred thousand people were reported to have attended the rally (Mar. 1998). Subsequently, Radio Nigeria Network reported just after the Two Million Youth March that "YEAA 98" would begin to use prayers, both Muslim and Christian, as part of its campaign to convince Abacha to stand for election (17 Mar. 1998).

Several sources allege that the government funded YEAA (AFP 29 Aug. 1998; The Journal 1 May 1998; CRP 1998). Following Abacha's death, the Nigerian Medical Association asked General Abubakar to order the arrest of YEAA's executive members because "they should be made to account for the taxpayers money dolled out to them in the last two years" (Post Express 3 July 1998). However, in describing the two million man march as "a colossal success" YEAA's National Chairman, Daniel Kanu claimed that the costs of the rally, estimated at 400-500 million naira, were paid for by "patriotic individuals" (NTA TV 5 Mar. 1998; Voice of Nigeria 3 Mar. 1998). The Voice of Nigeria also reported the organizers' denials of having received government funding and their assertions that they received money from corporate and individual donations (ibid.).

The Research Directorate found three other reports of individuals representing YEAA. Radio Nigeria identified an Adegbe Onu Adegbe as acting national chairman, just after the Two Million Youth March (17 Mar. 1998). Reuters referred to an Emmanuel Okereke as a spokesman at the time of the march (3 Mar. 1998). On 7 September 1998 The News reported the death of Alhaji Jubril Obokhale and identified him as YEAA's Edo coordinator.

AFP reported on 29 August 1998 that Abacha's death "abruptly terminated the YEAA campaign." AFP also reported on the emergence of Agenda '99 as a group formed to set up a new political party and said that the group, according to its leader Daniel Kanu of YEAA, was in favour of "'a massive overhaul of the economy,' a boost to education spending and the creation of a 'new empire for the Nigerian military' who, he said, should benefit from an 'ample percentage' of the country's budget" (30 July 1998). The News referred to Agenda '99 as "YEAA's response to the sudden death of the tin-god himself, General Sani Abacha" and referred to Daniel Kanu as "the universal coordinator" of this new group (7 Sept. 1998). On 10 September 1998 Radio Nigeria reported that Agenda '99 had sought registration as a new political party under the name of Masses Democratic Party, while the Panafrican News Agency reported on the same day that Daniel Kanu was leading a party known as the Mass Democratic Movement (MDM). P.M. News made reference to still another name for the new party led by Kanu: the Massive Democratic Party (MDP) (21 Sept. 1998). Kanu stated the party was searching for a presidential candidate and said that while he himself had the qualities, his age made him decide not to seek the position (ibid.). He indicated that the new party wanted a candidate from the south, since a northener had ruled for a number of years (ibid.).

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.

Africa Research Bulletin: Political, Social and Cultural Series [Oxford]. 20 March 1998. Vol. 35, No. 2. "Nigeria: Will He, Won't He?"

Agence France Presse (AFP). 29 August 1998. "Pro-Abacha Group Seeks Registration as Political Party." (NEXIS)

_____. 30 July 1998. "Abacha Supporter Announces New Party." (NEXIS)

Birmingham Post. 22 April 1998. Ian Stewart. "Strongman Abacha to Make Nation March in Line; Nigeria" (NEXIS)

Constitutional Rights Project (CRP). 1998. Annual Report on Human Rights Practices in Nigeria. Lagos: Constitutional Rights Project.

The Europa World Year Book 1998. 1998. 39th ed. Vol. 1. London: Europa Publications.

Inter Press Service (IPS). 12 June 1997. Remi Oyo. "Nigeria: Region Remains Quiet on Anniversary of 1993 Election." (NEXIS)

The Journal [n.p.]. 1 May 1998. "Nigeria Boss Remakes His Leadership." (The Ethnic NewsWatch/NEXIS)

Keesing's Record of World Events [Cambridge]. March 1998. "Nigeria: Rallies For and Against Abacha's Candidacy."

The News [Lagos]. 7 September 1998. Sunny Ojeiduma. "Nigeria: Across Nigeria: Benin/Illustrious in Bed." (Africa NewsNEXIS)

NTA TV [Lagos]. 5 March 1998. "Official Denies Government Funded Pro-Abacha Youth Rally." (BBC Summary 9 Mar. 1998/NEXIS)

Panafrican News Agency (PANA). 10 September 1998. Paul Ejime. "Nigeria; 25 Associations Beat Registration Deadline." (Africa News/NEXIS)

P.M. News [Lagos]. 21 September 1998. "Nigeria; YEEA in Search of a New Abacha." (Africa News/NEXIS)

Post Express [Lagos]. 3 July 1998. "Medical Association Wants YEAA Probed." [Internet] www.postexpresswired.com [Accessed 20 Nov. 1998]

_____. 17 May 1998. Igbonekwu Ogazimorah. "YEAA Condemns CNC's Cold Feet Over Abacha's Adoption." [Internet] www.postexpresswired.com [Accessed 20 Nov. 1998]

Radio Nigeria [Lagos]. 10 September 1998. "Twenty-five Political Groups Return Registration Forms." (BBC Summary 12 Sept. 1998/NEXIS)

_____. 17 March 1998. "Nigeria: Youth Body to Resort to Prayers to Persuade Abacha." (FBIS-AFR-98-076 17 Mar. 1998/WNC).

Reuters. 3 March 1998. "Rival Rallies in Nigeria Support, Oppose Abacha." [Internet] www.europe.cnn.com/WORLD/9803/03/Nigeria.reut [Accessed 24 Nov. 1998]

Voice of Nigeria. 4 March 1998. "Nigeria: Pro-Abacha Rally Enters Second Day 4 March." (FBIS-AFR-98-063 4 Mar. 1998/WNC).

_____. 3 March 1998. "Nigeria: Radio Reports Pro-Abacha Rally Opens in Abuja." (FBIS-AFR-98-062 3 Mar. 1998/WNC).

West Africa [London]. 2-15 March 1998. "Africa This Week: Nigeria: Abacha '98 Rallies."