Babagana Kingibe, running mate for late Moshood Abiola, whose victory was annulled by the Babangida junta in the 1993 presidential election on Sunday, described why he left the fight of June 12 to enter the late Sani Abacha’s next military regime.
Mr Kingibe, who was also Nigeria’s former Secretary of the Federation’s Government (SGF), was appointed last year as the Order of Niger’s Grand Commander (GCON), a title generally reserved for vice presidents.
The Government of Nigeria also recognized the June 12 mandate of late Abiola botched by former President Ibrahim Babangida.
Mr Abiola was also posthumously decorated as Grand Commander of the Federal Republic (GCFR), who died in prison after being detained by the Abacha regime.
The current Nigerian President, Muhammadu Buhari, who conferred those titles on the two, has also initiated the alteration of the Nigerian Public Holiday Act to recognise June 12 as Democracy Day, replacing May 29.
In Borno State, the 12th June Democracy Day was specifically celebrated in honor of Mr Kingibe, who comes from that region.
To celebrate Mr Kingibe, Borno’s government staged an elaborate celebration and durbar.
The former SGF, accompanied by some Borno elders, paid a courtesy call late Sunday afternoon to the state governor where he thanked Borno’s government and people for the show of love.
Mr Kingibe took the moment to clarify his dedication to the Nigerian project during the courtesy call and why he had “to accept appointments under the same late military regime as General Abacha thought to be liable for Abiola’s murder.”
Mr Kingibe said he was “especially pleased with the magnitude of the celebration” that took place in Borno to mark the new Day of Democracy, which means love and solidarity with him as “a son of the soil as a main player in that year’s activities.”
“I don’t believe the celebration on June 12th, 1993, was bigger than the celebration of June 12th, the first Day of Democracy,” he said.
“And for that I have to thank the governor who gave the leadership, thank the Borno individuals not only for celebrating June 12 as Democracy Day per say, but I understand they also had in mind that one of their own, their own child was also a critical player, I appreciate the trust and love.”
Mr Kingibe, who served as Minister of Foreign Affairs under Mr Abacha between 1993 and 1995 – a period during which his alleged president-elect was still in jail, stated, however, that his choice to take a position in Abacha’s administration was for “the domestic concern he placed above his private emotions.”
He said his action was in line with “Muslim faith’s doctrines that he professes leadership comes from God that he accepted in good destiny.”
“When we think of the collective good, there are times when we have to sacrifice our private interest and join forces to rebuild society and bring peace and harmony to our individuals.
“I have addressed this issue of why I joined Abacha’s government and so on. I know we won the elections on June 12, 1993, I know that injustice was done when those elections were annulled but there is always one guiding principle in my public life which is that the national interest supersedes any other considerations. All my actions have been informed by this consciousness of what is best in the national interest.”
Mr Kingibe, known as one of the ‘power brokers’ in the current government of President Buhari, called on politicians who aspired and lost at the APC governorship primaries to emulate him and join the incumbent government of Borno “for the overall interest of the state.”
The former SGF confessed that his preferred candidate for Borno governorship during the primaries was Kashim Imam, an APC chieftain who was many times governorship candidate of the PDP.
But he said he now supports the eventual winner, even as urged all stakeholders to support as well.
“I do appeal to all sons and daughters of Borno to always think of what is in the best interest of the people of Borno in all we do. I hope that some of us will take initiatives and appeal to people of quality who have measurable followership like Kashim Imam, Mohammed Kumalia and all those who contested and those who did not contest.
“There are leaders in Borno that are just looking at development with sadness but not being able to take initiatives to bring our people together. I hope that we will wake up and come together.”
In response, Governor Babagana Umara thanked Mr Kingibe for paying a courtesy visit. He said Borno is very proud of all his achievements “within and outside the country.”
The governor also thanked him for the support. He promised to remain committed to his determination of taking Borno to “the promised land driving on his ten-point agenda.”
