#DailyTimes Historical Discourse: Gladiators holding political space for 24 years

As 2019 draws closer and the political gladiators get set to commence their usual high wire politics, The Daily Times, Nigeria’s heritage newspaper, has decided to dig into its archives and inform Nigerians, especially the youths about what has happened since 1993.

Beginning from today, the newspaper will publish from its archives, series of untold stories and photographs in the last 24 years that will reveal the mindset of our leaders.

Tagged: “The Daily Times Historical Discourse“, the narrative will assist Nigerians in knowing their political history and shape the course of events.

We also intend to showcase interviews of those who witnessed of the tempestuous events for positive effect.

Series 1
Following the unending transition programme of former Military President, General Ibrahim Babangida, two political parties, the National Republican Convention (NRC) and the Social Democratic Party (SDP) were decreed as the only avenues for Nigerians to democratically elect their leaders.

But the presidential primary of the SDP marked the turning point in Nigeria’s democratic experience.
The memorable event also brought four gladiators who have continued to dominate the political space at the detriment of other dynamic leaders. And the nation has been worse for it.

The four gladiators- a business mogul, the late Chief MKO Abiola, the former Chief of Staff, Supreme Headquarters, the late General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua, Ambassador Babagana Kingibe and and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.

At the Jos Township Stadium, during the SDP primaries in 1993, Babagana Kingibe, who came very close to MKO Abiola, had the support of most SDP Governors like John Oyegun (Edo), Bamidele Olumilua (Ekiti), Felix Ibru (Delta) among others and also others like Emeka Ojukwu, Arthur Nzeribe, Olusola Saraki, Ben Obi and Ebenezer Babatope did not like Abiola. They were great supporters of Kingibe and as delegates, they cast their votes for him in the first ballot and were ready to do same in the second ballot.

But Abiola got support from Osoba, Kolapo Ishola, Isiaka Adeleke, Lamidi Adedibu, Bola Tinubu, Lateef Jakande, Chuba Okadigbo, Sule Lamido, Balarabe Musa, Abubakar Rimi, Dosu Ladipo, Yohana Madaki, Tony Anenih, Ango Abdullahi, etc.

First Ballot…
Abiola 3,617
Kingibe 3,255
Atiku 2,066
The three contenders were the leading aspirants and a run off must be conducted among the trio to select the SDP flagbearer. Yoruba Leaders in Jos thought it may be over for MKO since Kingibe and Atiku polled 5,321 to MKO’s 3,617… if Atiku merged with Kingibe, one of them will get the ticket!!!

To break any possible alliance between Atiku and Kingibe, some Yoruba Leaders (Dosu Ladipo, Lamidi Adedibu and SM Afolabi) headed straight to Ambassador Kwande’s house where General Yar’Adua was to have a chat him. General Yar’Adua was Atiku’s godfather.

On getting to Kwande house, they approached Yar’Adua’s personal assistant, Inua Baba, who told them that General was sleeping and shouldn’t be disturbed. The trio ignored him and went straight to General’s bedroom and banged his door!

“Mi ni ni?” Yar’Adua shouted… “Open the door General,” the trio screamed back. He opened the door.
The trio begged Yar’Adua to stop Atiku. “Remember how we became Yoruba people enemies when we supported you and jettisoned Falae, help us too to regain our love back from our people. Tell Atiku to step down.”

Yar’Adua agreed…..”For you good people, I agree to support MKO. Go and bring him. I can do anything for my friends,” Yar’Adua replied.

Immediately, Abiola joined the trio and Atiku also came in to join Yar’Adua.
Yar’Adua and Atiku spoke in Hausa at length and in the end, Atiku broke down in tears, wept when his boss asked him to step down. Yar’Adua gave him handkerchief.

While he was weeping, Abiola went close to him, hugged him and told him “you will be my deputy..”
Atiku then spoke, facing Yar’Adua “Since you’re the one who brought me into politics Sir, I cannot disobey you…”
That was the statement that sealed Kingibe’s fate in Jos and by the time Atiku announced his withdrawal for MKO, the SDP ticket went to Bashorun Abiola.

After MKO hugged Atiku and told him “You will be my deputy”, here is the politics that followed…
Atiku and co left Ambassador Kwande’s house and headed to the Jos Township Stadium where he mounted the podium and announced his withdrawal from the race leaving only Abiola and Kingibe.

Atiku’s withdrawal gave victory to MKO.
The normal thing for MKO was to immediately announce his deputy during his acceptance speech, that was the plan. But immediately Abiola was declared winner, before anyone could say Jack Robinson, Kingibe stood up and walked towards MKO “My President, I’m loyal”, he said, before Abiola could recover from the shock of Kingibe unexpected greeting “I’m the best VP that can give you victory” Kingibe continued right inside the stadium. “Please, Please, Ambassador, this is not the right time for this, please”…..Abiola replied Kingibe.

But 12 out of 14 SDP Governors also asked Abiola to pick Kingibe or they sabotage his campaign!!! Only Kolapo Ishola and Osoba supported Abiola wholeheartedly.

This was why Abiola completely omitted VP issue in his acceptance speech to avoid the wrath of the governors and not to break Atiku’s heart!!!!

Shortly after his victory, IBB called MKO and told him to pick Pascal Bafyau if “you want me to handover to you”…..IBB also warned MKO not to pick Atiku at all as he won’t be able to survive certain ethnic collaboration being sponsored by Yar’Adua and symbolised by Atiku.

Abiola was in dilemma. Again, Abiola was to address the SDP supporters in Kaduna, expectedly, to announce his deputy. Atiku had arranged two horses, one for Abiola, one for him. That was SDP style of celebration. Again, for the fear of the governors and IBB, Abiola didn’t announce his deputy again, for the second time.

One day, in his house in Ikeja, Abiola, during a press conference, announced Kingibe as his deputy, thereby bowing to the deadly wishes of Governors and ready to go into war with IBB and pacify Atiku.

The excuse given to justify this was that “Atiku stepped down but he didn’t say he stepped down for Abiola”…..Abiola supporters knew that Abiola won’t win if Atiku didn’t step down but politics is a crafty game.

It pained Atiku to his bones. Indeed, IBB kept his threat. He sabotaged June 12 and Yar’Adua took his pound of flesh when he threw his weight behind the annulment and opted for Interim National Government!!

Watch out for Series 2 next Monday