MKO Abiola: Real reason I joined Abacha’s govt as Minister – Kingibe

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MKO Abiola: Real reason I joined Abacha’s govt as Minister – Kingibe

 

Babagana Kingibe, Chief MKO Abiola’s running mate in 1993 presidential election, has explained why he abandoned the mandate given to them following the election’s annulment and joined late Gen. Sani Abacha’s government to become a three-time minister under that administration.

Kingibe made this known to journalists yesterday in Maiduguri, Borno State, during a visit to the state Governor, Babagana Umara.

He said: “When we think of the collective good there are times when we have to sacrifice personal interests and join hands in rebuilding society and bringing peace and harmony to our people.

“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 consideration and all my actions have been informed by this consciousness of what is best in the national interest.

“I don’t think the celebration on the actual 12th of June 1993 was any greater than the celebration of the first democracy day on June 12; And for that I have to thank the Governor who gave the leadership, thank the people of Borno not only for celebrating June 12 as democracy day per se, but I know that they also had in mind that one of their own, their own son was also a critical player, I appreciate the confidence and love.”

Kingibe went on to serve in the regime of the late dictator, Gen. Sani Abacha, as Minister of Foreign Affairs, Minister of Internal Affairs, and Minister of Power and Steel amidst hue and cry from pro-June 12 advocates.

 

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MKO Abiola: Obasanjo was one of architects of June 12 annulment – Kingibe alleges

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MKO Abiola: Obasanjo was one of architects of June 12 annulment – Kingibe alleges

 

Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Ambassador Babagana Kingibe, has alleged that ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo was one of the architects of the annulment of the June 12, 1993, presidential election.

Kingibe, who was the running mate of late MKO Abiola under the platform of the defunct Social Democratic Party, SDP, spoke while appearing on Nigerian Television Authority, NTA, yesterday.

He stated that though, Obasanjo attempted to convene a meeting of statesmen to address the aftermath of the June 12 crisis, President Muhammadu Buhari only attended the inaugural meeting and stopped because of the direction of the session.

Kingibe said: “In the aftermath of the annulment, one of the architects of the annulment, former President Olusegun Obasanjo tried to get some elder statesmen (former presidents and so on); I think at the African Leadership Forum to see how the aftermath of the annulment could be addressed or to see how the problems arising from the annulment could be addressed.

“And I think President Muhammadu Buhari did attend the meeting once, the inaugural meeting. I understood that when he (Buhari) saw the direction of the meeting, he decided not to attend again.

“Every time the issue of the annulment came up over the years, his position was very clear; he was very firm that the election was free, fair and there was a clear winner. And that the annulment was unjustified.

“So, having had the opportunity, perhaps, to right the wrong, I won’t be surprised he did so because it is in his character to try and do justice, however, belated and under whatever circumstances.”

 

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