Reasons behind appointment of Babagana Kingibe as new Chief of Staff

The appointment of Alhaji, Ambassador Babagana Kingibe as President Buhari ‘s new chief of staff is not surprising to people who are deeply vested with the political history of not just the Kanuri kingdom but the entire Fulani Nationality and Northern Nigeria at large.

Importantly, the choice of Ambassador Babagana Kingibe as the new arrow head of Buhari’s presidential cabal is predicated by many salient factors. Some of the key underlining factors are intelligence, transparency, loyalty, courage, experience and hard work, .Ambassador Kingibe is globally acknowledged as an epitome of intelectual property, and impeccable integrity. He is a good politician, an astute diplomat and seasoned administrator capable of weathering the storm of the presidency in all perspectives unbehalf of Mr President . So, to say that the new chief of staff is a square peg in a square hole is but to state the obvious.

Born on the 25th of June 1945 to the family of Mallam Mustafa Shua in present day Bornu State, A cousin to former top Army infantry Commander and military mentor to President Buhari, late Gen. Muhammad Shua. Ambassador Babagana Kingibe attended many reputable higher institutions of learniing, among them was Bishop Stordford College UK, for his O and A Levels . He then proceeded to University of Sussex, where he obtained his Bachelor degree and masters in International Relations along with his friend the former President of South Africa, Thabo Mbeki.

He worked with the Ahmadu Belo University Zaria on his return to Nigeria. He was also Head of features and programs in the Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation. Before he then proceeded to serve as a diplomat in many foreign missions abroad. Kingibe is married to his beautiful wife Mrs Ireti Kingibe. And the marriage is blessed with very brilliant children.

Truth be told, Ambassador Babagana Kingibe is one of the highly educated , disciplined, experienced and highly respected politician from the north and particularly of Fulani ethnic nationality. Kingibe was one of the young northern political elites drafted by then northern leaders to take over the mantle of political leadership after the exit of President Sherhu Shagari, when the military later brokered programs to return the country to democratic rule.

That informed the reason the late Tafida Katsina, retired General Shehu Musa Yar’adua of blessed memory, alongside Barr. Wada Abubakar, Dr Maitama Sule, Ibrahim Majidadi, Shehu Goje, Abubakar Koko, Prof Ango Abdulahi, Dr Garba Nadama, Dr Ado Bayero, Dr Hashim Elias and others too numerous to mention reposed confidence in him by voting him into office of the National Chairman of the Social Democratic Party SDP, while Chief Tom Ikimi was drafted by the middle belt to head the National Republican Convention NRC, the two parties were outstanding viable parties with remarkable democratic records in Nigeria in 1989. Kingibe in summary is a detribalixed Nationalist..

Ambassador Kingibe’s distinctive ability to strategically galvanize unprecedented folowership across the six geopolitical zone of Nigeria thereafter enhanced his choice by his party (SDP) as the Vice Presidential candidate to Alhaji Moshood Kashimowo Abiola in 1993 general election. In that election Kingibe was the pride of the north, and they clearly demonstrated uncommon loyalty and resilience. Unfortunately, the election which was widely won by Abiola/Kingibe SDP ticket was nullified by then military president Gen. Ibrahim Gbadamosi Babangida.

Later, Ambassador Kingibe was appointed as Nigeria’s Honourable minister of foreign Affairs from 1993 – 1995. Minister of Internal Affairs 1995 – 1997, Minister of Power and Steel from 1997 – 1998. He was appointed Secretary to Government of the Federation from 2007 – 2008 under President Olusegun Obasanjo. . He was a member of the People’s Democratic Party PDP from 1999 – 2015 and a top leader of the All Progressive Congress APC from 2015 – Till date.

Ambassador Babagana Kingibe is a long time trusted loyal friend and confidance of President Muhammadu Buhari. Kingibe unlike late Abba Kyari is believed to be very accessible , receptive and transparent. Nigerians are now looking forward to having a change of the social order and good governance.

With utmost honour, I therefore wish to use this opportunity to congratulate the new chief of staff to President Buhari, Alhaji Ambassador Babagana Kingibe. I wish him a successful service to the Nigerian Nation.
Masha Allah.