Former military Head of State Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida has said no successful military coup in Nigeria’s history was carried out without the involvement or support of civilians.
Babangida, who turns 85 on Monday, made the disclosure in an interview with Badeggi 90.1 FM in Minna, Niger State, as part of activities marking his birthday, according to THISDAY.
‘Civilians Have Always Supported Coups’
The former military president said wealthy civilians had historically played significant roles in supporting and sponsoring military takeovers in the country.
“No successful coup in Nigeria’s history had occurred without civilian involvement,” Babangida said.
He also reflected on the events surrounding the 1985 coup plot against his administration and the subsequent execution of Mamman Vatsa, then Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.
Babangida described Vatsa as a schoolmate and close associate, saying he initially found it difficult to believe allegations linking him to the alleged plot.
“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.
He said a military commission of inquiry was subsequently constituted to investigate the allegations.
Babangida said Nasko was cleared by the panel, while the inquiry found evidence linking Vatsa to the coup plot.
He recalled being “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,” Babangida said.
Credit: TheCable
