Former military president 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 during an interview with Badeggi 90.1 FM in Minna, Niger State, as part of activities marking his birthday.
The former military president said wealthy civilians had historically played significant roles in supporting and financing military takeovers in the country.
Babangida also reflected on the events surrounding the 1985 plot to overthrow his administration and the subsequent execution of Mamman Vatsa, the then Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.
He described Vatsa, his schoolmate and close associate, as someone whose alleged involvement in the coup plot he initially found difficult to believe.
“Initially, I found it difficult to believe reports linking Vatsa to a planned coup because of our long-standing friendship and shared history,” Babangida 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.
He said both officers denied involvement when questioned.
“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 established to investigate the allegations.
While Nasko was cleared of wrongdoing, he said the panel found evidence linking Vatsa to the coup plot.
The former military president said the finding left him “shocked, devastated and deeply disappointed”, given his relationship with Vatsa.
“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.
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Meanwhile, former President Goodluck Jonathan has congratulated Babangida on his 85th birthday, describing his life as one marked by service, leadership and enduring contributions to Nigeria.
In a goodwill message issued to mark the occasion, Jonathan, on behalf of his family, praised Babangida’s years of service in the military and public sector.
He described Babangida’s tenure as Head of State as a significant chapter in Nigeria’s history and said his experience and wisdom continued to offer lessons for present and future generations.
“This milestone is a testament to a life of service, leadership, and enduring contributions to the development of our great nation,” Jonathan said.
Jonathan prayed for Babangida to enjoy continued good health, peace, strength and many more years with his family and loved ones.
The former president also urged him to use the milestone to reflect on his years of national service and the lives he had influenced.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), led by Interim National Chairman Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, also congratulated Babangida on his 85th birthday.
In a statement issued in Abuja and signed by Turaki, the party described the former military leader as a distinguished Nigerian whose contributions had secured him a place in the country’s history.
The PDP particularly praised what it described as Babangida’s broad-minded and detribalised approach to national affairs, as well as his commitment to national unity.
The party said the milestone provided an opportunity to reflect on Babangida’s years of public service and his contributions to Nigeria both in office and outside government.
