A professor of political science at the University of Texas at Austin who specializes in Nigerian politics provided the following information (25 May 1994). The Association for Better Nigeria (ABN) was formed after the Ibrahim Babangida regime abolished all political parties and created the two national parties, the National Republican Convention (NRC) and the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in 1991. The primary objective of the ABN was to keep Ibrahim Babangida in power and maintain the military administration that has governed Nigeria for so long. The ABN demonstrated its determination to achieve its objective by putting up billboards in the Nigerian capital Abuja that carried the message "Four More Years," which means the military government should stay in power for another four years. The intensity of the ABN's pro-government campaigns led many observers to conclude that the federal military government was behind the activities of the association.

The professor stated that the leadership of the ABN was basically a "one-man show" headed by Chief Arthur Nzeribe. The professor also mentioned that the other well-known member of the ABN Abimola Davies, a director of the association, later left the organization. The professor noted that the ABN was not a popular group and was treated with contempt particularly by pro-democracy groups and most of the Nigerian press. As a result, many of those who associated with the ABN kept it virtually secret. According to the professor, it is difficult to determine the total leadership or membership of the ABN.

In its tenacity to endorse continuous military rule, the ABN went to court to prevent the holding of the June 1993 presidential election. The ABN's reason for demanding the injunction was that the leaders of the NRC and SDP were corrupt politicians. The professor stated that the Campaign for Democracy (CD), a coalition of pro-democracy groups, challenged the ABN on the grounds that it was unconstitutional to canvass for the continuation of the military government in Nigeria. The ABN lost the case. After the elections, the ABN again went to court to prevent the release of the election results. The professor stated that the current political impasse in Nigeria began at this point, when the government annulled the results.

According to the professor, the ABN has always shown its disdain for the return to civilian government and campaigned for the continuation of military rule. Therefore, it goes without saying that the ABN was happy that its immediate goal was achieved when the results were annulled. However, since the assumption of power by the Sani Abacha regime in November 1993, the ABN appears to have taken a low profile, although it is not being specifically targeted by the government. He explained that anyone openly speaking for or against the ban of the 12 June 1993 presidential elections in the current political climate of Nigeria risks drawing the government's wrath. The professor stated that Chief Arthur Nzeribe, the ABN leader, was detained for attempting to hold an "unauthorized press conference" but was released a few days later.

Agence France Presse (AFP) in a 9 September 1993 report noted that the ABN was formed in June 1993. According to the 30 June 1993 issue of Defense and Foreign Affairs' Strategic Policy, the ABN has 25 million members. Inter Press Services (IPS) in a report on 19 April 1993 noted that the ABN held its first official meeting in Lagos on 15 April 1993. The same source also mentioned Jerry Okoro as the national coordinator of the ABN. The above sources also corroborated most of the professor's information on the ABN. For further details, please refer to the attachments.

The BBC reported on 27 July 1993 that Chief Arthur Nzeribe denied any attachment to the military regime. He also denied that leading government officials were members of the ABN. According to the source, Chief Nzeribe revealed at his interview that he intended to change the name of the ABN to Association for Better Democratic Nigeria (ABDN). The same source notes that Nzeribe gave notice that his association would continue to fight for its objectives. The Xinhua General Overseas News Service reported on 20 October 1993 that Chief Nzeribe met a few times with Chief Abiola of the SDP and Nzeribe stated that it was the beginning of an attempt to encourage national reconciliation. Le Devoir, The Guardian, Los Angeles Times, Reuters and Le Monde all reported on the ABN, its leading personality and its activities prior to and after the 1993 elections. These sources also corroborate most of the professor's information on the ABN. Please refer to the attachments.

This response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB 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.

Agence France Presse (AFP). 9 September 1993. "Pro-army Group Recommends Extension of Interim Government Tenure." (NEXIS)

The BBC Summary of World Broadcasts. 27 July 1993. "Chief Nzeribe Apologises to Babangida and Other Government Officials." (NEXIS)

Defense & Foreign Affairs' Strategic Policy [London]. 30 June 1993. Gregory Copley. "Nigeria Charts Its Own Course." (NEXIS)

Inter Press Service (IPS). 19 April 1993. Kole Babalola. "Nigeria: Babangida-Must-Stay Campaign Hits Trouble." (NEXIS)

Professor of political science, University of Texas, Austin. 25 May 1994. Telephone interview.

The Xinhua General Overseas News Service. 20 October 1993. "Leaser of Association of Better Nigeria Meets Abiola." (NEXIS)

Agence France Presse (AFP). 15 February 1994. "Police Seal off Human Rights Conference Venue." (NEXIS)

_____. 9 September 1993. "Pro-army Group Recommends Extension of Interim Government Tenure." (NEXIS)

_____. 17 July 1993. "Pro-junta Leader Admits Blocking Abiola from Presidency." (NEXIS)

The BBC Summary of World Broadcasts. 27 July 1993. "Chief Nzeribe Apologizes to Babangida and Other Government Officials." (NEXIS)

_____. 22 July 1993. "National Intelligence Agency Head: No Ties With the Better Nigeria Group." (NEXIS)

_____. 19 July 1993. "ABN Leader Says Group Was "Used" to Prevent Abiola Victory." (NEXIS)

_____. 12 June 1993. "Nigeria: Abuja High Court Issues Ban on Elections." (NEXIS)

_____. 8 June 1993. "Nigerian President and Electoral Commission Summoned by Court." (NEXIS)

Defense & Foreign Affairs' Strategic Policy [London]. 30 June 1993. Gregory Copley. "Nigeria Charts Its Own Course." (NEXIS)

Le Devoir [Montréal]. 30 July 1993. "Imbroglio post-électoral."

_____. 30 June 1993. "Le geant de l'Afrique en mal de démocratie."

The Guardian [London]. 2 July 1993. Wole Soyinka. "Nigeria's Soap Opera." (NEXIS)

_____. 1 July 1993. Chris McGreal. "Nigerian Rulers Still Divided." (NEXIS)

Inter Press Service (IPS). 6 May 1993. "Nigeria: To Go or Stay? Only the Military Has the Answer." (NEXIS)

_____. 19 April 1993. Kole Babalola. "Nigeria: Babangida-Must-Stay Campaign Hits Trouble." (NEXIS)

Le Monde [Paris]. 18 June 1993. Michelle Maringues. "Nigeria: A la suite de l'injonction d'un tribunal la publication des resultats de l'election presidentielle a été suspendue." (NEXIS)

Los Angeles Times. 17 July 1993. Southland Edition. "Army Role in Nigeria Vote Suits Told." (NEXIS)

Reuters. 23 June 1993. BC Cycle. Tunde Obadina. "Nigeria Nullifies Poll, Awaits Army Rule Decision." (NEXIS)

The Xinhua General Overseas News Service. 20 October 1993. "Leaser of Association of Better Nigeria Meets Abiola." (NEXIS)