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Former military president Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB) has said that no successful military coup in Nigeria has taken place without the involvement or support of civilians.
Babangida, who will turn 85 on Monday, made the disclosure during an interview with Badeggi 90.1 FM in Minna, Niger State, as part of activities marking his birthday.
Babangida said wealthy civilians had historically played significant roles in supporting and sponsoring military takeovers.
“No successful coup in Nigeria’s history had occurred without civilian involvement,” he said.
The former military president also recounted the events surrounding the 1985 plot to topple his government and the subsequent execution of Mamman Vatsa, then minister of the Federal Capital Territory.
Babangida said Vatsa, whom he described as a schoolmate and close associate, initially denied involvement in the plot.
According to him, he initially found it difficult to believe allegations linking Vatsa to the plot because of their long-standing friendship.
“Initially, I found it difficult to believe reports linking Vatsa to a planned coup because of our long-standing friendship and shared history,” he said.
Babangida detailed that he summoned Vatsa and Mohammed Gado Nasko to his office after a senior military officer informed him that the two had been mentioned in connection with the plot.
“When they arrived, I asked them about the reports that they had been mentioned in a plot to topple my government. Both of them denied any involvement,” he said.
He said a military commission of inquiry was subsequently established to investigate the allegations.
“While General Gado Nasko was cleared of any wrongdoing, the panel found evidence linking Vatsa to the coup plot,” Babangida said.
He said he was “shocked, devastated and deeply disappointed” when Vatsa’s alleged involvement was established.
“There was nothing I could do to exonerate him from the consequences prescribed by military law. My hands were tied. That was how I lost my brother, General Mamman Vatsa,” he said.
Vatsa was executed by firing squad in March 1986.
Babangida and Vatsa grew up together, attended Bida Middle School, now Government College Bida, graduated in the same year, and joined the military together.
Amid Nigeria’s economic and security challenges, Babangida called on Nigerians to remain hopeful and support the administration of President Bola Tinubu.
He expressed optimism that the government’s ongoing efforts would ultimately yield positive results and improve the country’s situation.
Babangida was Nigeria’s military ruler from 1985 to 1993.
