By Yahaya Balogun.
February 21, 2026, 11:00 AM.
Baba Kabiru’s life encapsulates the complex interplay between ambition and ethical integrity in Nigerian politics. Emerging from the clutches of impoverishment, Baba Kabiru was fortunate to be recognized and subsequently aided by a benefactor, who provided him with the necessary political resources and support to transform his life.
In his earlier years, he was merely a ramshackle motor mechanic operating in one of the rustic villages in Osun State, where opportunities were scarce and aspirations often stifled by economic hardship. Baba Kabiru’s trajectory was irrevocably altered when he embarked on a fateful journey to the urban enclave of Lagos, a city renowned as a hub of political maneuvering and opportunity.
Unbeknownst to Baba Kabiru, this journey marked the beginning of an unforeseen odyssey that would lead him to interact with the influential elites of Lagos State. On that seemingly ordinary day characterized by serendipity, he encountered a city boy—an individual predestined to ascend to the heights of political leadership in our beautiful and beloved country, Nigeria. This city boy called Jagaban, possessing both charisma and a keen eye for talent, recognized in Baba Kabiru not just a man from humble beginnings but rather a potential asset, a diligent worker who could be molded into a valuable team member. Thus, Baba Kabiru found himself conscripted into the strategically vibrant, treacherous realm of politics, an arena where the stakes were high, and the moral compass often veered off course.
As Baba Kabiru navigated the tumultuous waters of political life, he thrived, evolving like flourishing petals nurtured in the political gardens of both Lagos and Osun State. His ascent culminated in his assuming the prestigious role of Executive Governor of Osun State, a position from which he expected to significantly shape policy and governance. However, his tenure was marked by abysmal performance, leading to widespread disappointment among his constituents and stakeholders alike.
Baba Kabiru’s political journey did not end in Osun; he soon transitioned to a national level, stepping into the limelight as one of the prominent figures within President Muhammadu Buhari’s cabinet. Appointed as the Minister of the Interior, he was expected to display the kind of leadership and effectiveness that would solidify his reputation. Unfortunately, his tenure was characterized by an alarming propensity for evasion and poor performance, which ultimately garnered the dismay not only of citizens but particularly of the city boy who had once believed in his potential.
The disingenuousness of Baba Kabiru, coupled with his clandestine behaviors, became increasingly pronounced as he aligned himself with the African Democratic Congress (ADC). This conspicuous betrayal of his benefactor—who had once been instrumental in his political rise—illustrates a profound moral degeneration, as he conspired against the very political fortune that had supported his ascent. Consequently, Baba Kabiru’s political capital began to erode; his ambition, once illuminated by the promise of success, crumbled like a house of cards, resulting in his evolution into a political adversary of his former mentor.
This narrative serves as a cautionary tale about the precarious nature of political allegiances and the often-detrimental consequences of ethical vacuity in the quest for power. As we reflect on Baba Kabiru’s political trajectory, it becomes evident that an individual’s rise within the political sphere is fraught with challenges that extend beyond mere ambition and success. This life!
Yahaya Balogun writes from Arizona, United States of America.