Former military president Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, popularly known as IBB, has said wealthy civilians have historically played a significant role in funding and supporting military coups in Nigeria.

Babangida made the disclosure in an interview with Badeggi 90.1 FM in Minna, Niger State, as part of activities marking his 85th birthday.

The former military ruler, who governed Nigeria from 1985 to 1993, said no successful military coup in the country had occurred without civilian involvement.

“No successful coup in Nigeria’s history had occurred without civilian involvement,” he said.

Babangida also revisited the events surrounding the 1985 coup plot against his government and the subsequent execution of Mamman Vatsa, then Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.

Vatsa, whom Babangida described as his schoolmate and close associate, was accused of being involved in the plot.

Babangida said he initially struggled to believe the allegations because of his longstanding relationship with Vatsa.

“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.

According to him, he summoned Vatsa and Mohammed Gado Nasko to his office after a senior military officer informed him that both men had been mentioned in connection with the alleged 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.

Babangida said a military commission of inquiry was subsequently set up to investigate the allegations.

He said while Nasko was cleared, the panel found evidence linking Vatsa to the coup plot.

“While General Gado Nasko was cleared of any wrongdoing, the panel found evidence linking Vatsa to the coup plot,” Babangida said.

The former military president said the finding left him “shocked, devastated and deeply disappointed”.

“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 had grown up together, attended Bida Middle School, now Government College Bida, graduated in the same year and later joined the military together.

On Nigeria’s current economic and security challenges, Babangida urged Nigerians to remain hopeful and support the administration of President Bola Tinubu.

He expressed optimism that the government’s ongoing efforts would eventually yield positive results for the country.
By Abisola Adigun
For Advert, EvAbisola Adigun
ent Coverage/Press Conference Invite, Story/Article Publication & Other Media Services
Contact Us On WhatsApp
Send Email To: citizennewsng@gma Across Nigeria And The World