[size=14pt]Jubilation in Maiduguri over Kingibe's sack[/size]
By Innocent Oweh (Abuja) Rafiu Ajakaye (Lagos) Gbenga Abegunrin (Ibadan) and Abdulkareem Haruna (Maiduguri)

Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Baba Gana Kingibe, on Tuesday handed over to Yayale Ahmed even as Maiduguri erupted in bizarre jubilation following his sack.







The ceremony was dotted with sad reminiscences and attended by key ministerial personnel in Abuja.

Kingibe recalled that his years of experience and experimentation in the political cycle were enough to keep him relevant in the scheme of affairs, but urged Yayale to be wary of the challenges of the office he is inheriting because "the nation is entering the implementation phase of consolidating economic, political and attitudinal transformation established by the present administration.

"To be at the vortex of development at these times is both exciting and challenging. The expectations of our people are high, may God give you the strength, wisdom and confidence to play your part.

"The issue of going into retirement does not arise now, because I do not have the capital to invest in farming or do other business. I am going to do what I know best, which is to hold together all men of goodwill behind our national endeavour, which invariably is to fulfill the promise of greatness through Yar'Adua.

Kingibe was until Monday the SGF - a seat he lost for allegedly eyeing the Presidency and running out of favour with Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) hawks, who felt threatened by his stranglehold on government activities.

But no one is losing sleep over the man's lot even in Maiduguri, Borno, his home state.

It was a clear case of a prophet rejected at home and abroad when Kingibe's kinsmen chose to celebrate his sack, peppered by criticisms of his past by agitators of democracy down South.

Barely 30 minutes after the news broke, residents of Maiduguri jumped in excitement at the fall of Kingibe, who the ruling All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) in Borno State see as a political threat.

Chief among those celebrating were ANPP members, who were seen at several spots clapping and shaking hands, as they passed the news that may see Kingibe, a long-standing diplomat, go into retirement.

Although officials at Government House, Maiduguri, declined comment on the matter, most considered the development as a major political achievement for the ANPP because they feared Kingibe could use his influence to manipulate the 2011 elections to favour the PDP.

"Oh boy, I hope you are aware that Kingibe has finally been shown the way out! I mean sacked by his boss," said a text message forwarded to journalists in the state by one anonymous person.

Residents spoken to insisted that, "the sack does not make any difference to the people of Borno. Whether Kingibe remained the SGF of not, Borno State stands to lose nothing because since he was appointed to that exalted office, he has not done anything significant that could make people feel his absence on that seat."

ANPP Secretary in Borno, Yusuf Adamu, added: "Kingibe is one politician whose personality and political influence is not felt in Borno State. So, we will not see it a setback; instead we will even hail the appointment of his predecessor, Yayale Ahmed who is from Bauchi State.

Mustapha Bukar, a youth member of PDP in Borno, said the sack was the wisest thing Yar'Adua has done since he was elected last year. According to him, "As long as Kingibe remained the SGF the PDP in Borno lost focus, quality leadership and decorum.

"We know of many politicians who after getting federal appointments went to their various constituencies and states to see their people and even address them. But here, we had an SGF whose powers are well-known and even feared in the nation, yet he has not even for one day deemed it fit to come home and see his people and party men. He stayed in Abuja issuing orders over how the party should be run or over how party officials in the state would be imposed on the membership."

The Campaign for Democracy (CD) said on Tuesday that it will shed no tears for Kingibe, but branded the cabinet shake-up a "diversionary tactic to deceive the unwary".

CD President, Joe Okei-Odumakin, reacted in a telephone interview that the sack was "cosmetic", and called on President Umaru Yar'Adua to match his actions with campaign pledges.

"Ordinarily, one would not want to comment about the sack of Kingibe, because he had said that our votes did not bring Yar'Adua to office," Okei-Odumakin said, adding: "The whole scene is just cosmetic, like putting an old wine in new bottle, and the whole thing goes sour. So, we view the latest event as diversionary, to deceive the unwary and make people feel the government is moving us forward."

On Tuesday, Aso Rock announced the sack of Kingibe days after ailing Yar'Adua returned from Saudi Arabia where the State House claimed he had gone on Umrah, or the Leser Hajj.

The National Chairman of the Conference of Nigerian Political Parties (CNPP), Olapade Agoro, described the sack of Kingibe as the best step Yar'Adua ever took.

He nonetheless warned Yar'Adua to be wary of Kingibe's loyalists, who he claimed constitute more than 70 per cent of the administration.

Agoro told a press conference in Ibadan that Kingibe was too ambitious to serve in the administration of a gentleman like Yar'Adua, and knocked the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for treating the ill-health of the President in a manner that heightens tension nationwide.

His words: "Yar'Adua's health, much as it is painful and hurtful to the people and progress of this country, should not be a source of joy to Yar'Adua's enemies in the PDP, who are seriously undermining the security and progress of the country."

Agoro urged Yar'Adua to populate his cabinet with friends in the opposition - in the spirit of a consensus government - rather than hang on to PDP hawks he denounced as encumbrances.

http://odili.net/news/source/2008/sep/10/708.html

why? Is it because he's a christian?

Haba, sista Deepzone u don start conversial thread again. I no dey o. Mc Usman, Boyscott and the rest of them dey come for ur hide now.

Haba, sista Deepzone u don start conversial thread again. I no dey o. Mc Usman, Boyscott and the rest of them dey come for your hide now.

What do you mean? Am I the journalist that wrote the story?

Meself dey jubilate. Why not

Meself dey jubilate. Why not

Why? Beacause he's a christian? Why why why why why why? Because i've never seen the North jubiliate like this over the downfall of their brother even if he's Abacha that killed Yaradua.

Deep u didnt write the article, but u re the one bringing in the religion angle

Deep u didnt write the article, but u re the one bringing in the religion angle

That was a suggestion, you can either refute it or consider it.

Are you sure Kingigbe is not Muslim?

Deepzone to start with u know am always with u, cos u make alot of sense (at least most times). But am not so sure, Mc Usman and others would agree with me.

Also I think Babagana is a muslim.

Kingibe is a pure christian. Born again sef.

deepzone pls no religion in this who made him bornagain? you? the man deserves to be rejected, He cant be trusted by anyone, He's dangerous

deepzone please no religion in this who made him bornagain? you? the man deserves to be rejected, He can't be trusted by anyone, He's dangerous

Only God can judge abeg. Why is he dangerous? Is he more dangerous than IBB and Atiku?

Kingibe born again? when that one happen?

Aloy.Emeka:

Kingibe born again? when that one happen?

ask Deepzone

Kingibe is a Muslim. remember when he was Abiola's running mate it was tagged Muslim- Muslim ticket.

The jubilation is more about the political difference between the government of the day in Borno and himself. prior to now he had no serious structure of his so till he was relieved of his position he influenced many decision in the state chapter of the PDP that he was not a founding member. Across boards in the state I will say he was seen as a man whose time in politics were far spent. So the jubilation of this will be welcomed within that state political circle.

@Deepzone
How you dey? Long time.

DeepZone:

Kingibe is a pure christian. Born again sef.

kingibe is a kanuri muslim,get your facts right before posting. seems you like it when people go after each other

p.s
remember my proposal to you