A Missing Life Story

Very little is known about the life, philosophy and politics of Babagana Kingibe.

Yet at the most crucial periods in Nigeria’s democratic journey, he has not only been a witness but a player. His choice as MKO Abiola’s running mate was controversial. Then came the cancellation of the 12 June election.

Kingibe was one of the earliest Nigerians to be trained in foreign intelligence. And at a time when former leaders are cementing their legacies with personal accounts of their time in governance, Kingibe has remained misunderstood.

He was named SGF in the early days of the Umaru Yar’Adua government, only to be abruptly sacked in controversial circumstances.

There were insinuations then that he didn’t see eye to eye with First Lady Turai Yar’Adua, who accused him of plotting against her husband.

Over a decade earlier, Kingibe was a minister in the Sani Abacha regime, even though both he and Abiola claimed an electoral mandate to govern.

Those closest to Kingibe say he was walking free but was really a prisoner of Abacha. He was under constant surveillance and couldn’t function properly in the government. He also didn’t dare resign on his own accord.

But Kingibe still hasn’t said so himself.