Former military President Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida says wealthy civilians played significant roles in supporting and sponsoring successful military coups in Nigeria, insisting that no successful military takeover in the country’s history occurred without civilian involvement.
Babangida, who turns 85 on Monday, disclosed this during an interview on Badeggi 90.1 FM in Minna, Niger State, as part of activities marking his birthday.
The former military ruler, who was reflecting on Nigeria’s history of military interventions in politics, said civilian actors, particularly wealthy Nigerians, had historically provided financial support for military officers involved in coups.
“No successful coup in Nigeria’s history had occurred without civilian involvement,” he said.
Babangida, who ruled Nigeria as military president from 1985 to 1993, also revisited one of the most painful episodes of his administration, the alleged 1985 coup plot that led to the execution of his close associate and then Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Major General Mamman Vatsa.
Vatsa and Babangida had known each other long before their military careers. The two grew up together, attended Bida Middle School, now Government College Bida, graduated in the same year and subsequently joined the military.
Babangida said his close relationship with Vatsa initially made it difficult for him to accept reports that his friend had been involved in a plot to overthrow his government.
“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 IBB, a senior military officer had informed him that Vatsa and Major General Mohammed Gado Nasko had been mentioned in connection with the alleged plot.
He said he subsequently summoned both men to his office to confront them over the allegations.
“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 the military subsequently constituted a commission of inquiry to investigate the alleged coup plot.
He said the panel cleared Nasko but found evidence linking Vatsa to the 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 devastated because of his personal relationship with Vatsa.
He said he could not intervene because the military justice system had prescribed the punishment for those found guilty of such offences.
“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 subsequently executed by firing squad in March 1986.
Babangida, who seized power in a bloodless coup in August 1985 after overthrowing Major General Muhammadu Buhari, remained in power until he stepped aside in August 1993 following widespread political tensions over the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election.
The former military president also spoke about Nigeria’s current economic and security challenges, urging citizens 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.
