Kola Amzat(FCA)
SiR: Except for ambassadorial appellation attached unto his name, not much was known of Babagana Kingibe until providence brought him out, when he was chosen by the SDP as running mate to the late business mogul, Bashorun Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola during the 1993 general elections.
The historic election, overwhelmingly won by MKO, but annulled by IBB-led military junta, was adjudged to be the freest and the best election ever conducted in the continent of Africa.
In the struggles for the actualization of the mandate, life was snuffed out of Kudirat Abiola, Pa Alfred Rewane, Suliat Adedeji and quite a number of other notable Nigerians.
Attempts were also made on the life of Pa Abraham Adesanya, Alex Ibru and of course, many pro-democracy activists were hounded into exile including Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Pa Enahoro, Alani Akinrinade, Ebitu Ukiwe etc.
While the struggle was intense, the acclaimed winner, MKO Abiola, was clamped into the detention where he later died in July 1997.
In the thick of this, Kingibe, who was ordinarily supposed to champion and lead the struggle for the actualization of the mandate, with the MKO in detention, was busy wining and dining with the military top brass.
The romance later got to a climax when he was appointed as foreign affairs minister under Abacha regime. The appointment didn’t only tear the mandate into the shreds; it technically sounded a death knell for the mandate. The military top brass discovered in him a worthy ally in subverting the mandate.
When journalists thereafter quizzed him on why he had to sell out, his unsavory comments swept the SDP leadership and the political class off their feet.
After the collapse of Interim /Abacha government, Nigeria heard little of him until late President Umar Yar’Adua appointed him as Secretary to the Government of Federation.
He was in that office for six months only to be dramatically removed –accused of deploying the office as an instrument to build political camps in the Villa and across the country, not only to subvert the government, but also to succeed Yar’Adua.
He was also alleged to be using the office to undermining government policies. The development led to his ignominious exit from the seat of government and the public sphere for several years.
Now, there are speculations that the president may appoint him as the new Chief of Staff.
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While it is the prerogative of the president to make any appointment he desires, the fact remains that this is an unusual time.
Mallam Abba Kyari’s replacement must of necessity be loyal, humane, widely accepted, quiet and resourceful; a confidant of the president.
He must be essentially apolitical, an individual who will not only squarely face his briefs and assist the president in the onerous task of delivering for the remaining years of his tenure, but also strives to attract love and affection of the generality of Nigerians to the president.
Though charismatic, Kingibe is not imbued with these attributes. If appointed, the president must be ready to cope with disquiet and confusion within the government apparatus.
His appointment will not only usher in crisis of trust and confidence between the presidency and the political class, but of leaders of thought and Nigerians across the land.
Besides, he’s also generally perceived as a personality with inordinate ambition and an uncommon schemer.
One sincerely urges the president not only to conduct wide and extensive consultations, but also to tread cautiously and carefully before making this all-important appointment that will surely define and shape his government in the next two years.
The president should be conscious of leaving a long-lasting legacy for Nigeria; Babagana Kingibe would be a wrong choice to assist him in achieving this dream.
- Kola Amzat(FCA) Lagos.
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