Former Military President, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida has revealed that there was little he could do to preserve his childhood friend and former military colleague, General Mamman Jiya Vatsa after investigations established his involvement in an alleged attempt to topple his administration in 1985.
Bababgida made the announcement in a special broadcast on Baddegi 901 FM as part of celebrations honouring his 85th birthday monitored in Minna.
The former military leader claimed he had initially found it difficult to trust claims linking Vatsa to the alleged coup plot, given their long-standing bond from boyhood.
He said they grew up together, attended the same Bida Middle School, now Government College, Bida, finished the same year and then joined the military together.
“All of us grew up together childhood friends, attended the same Bida Middle School now Government College, Bida, graduated the same year and joined the Military together. Then how could I think he would plot a coup against me? ” Babangida asked.
He described his disbelief when a senior military official first told him that Vatsa had supposedly been mentioned in connection with the coup plot, which he disregarded as a rumour.
Babangida said he then summoned Vatsa and Gen. Mohammed Gado Nasko to his office after hearing that both persons were being referenced in connection with the purported conspiracy.
When they arrived I asked them about a notion that your people were mentioned as being involved in the plan to overthrow me. How true are the reports? Both denied involvement,” he recalled.
But, he alleged, a second probe by a military committee cleared Nasko while evidence brought before the panel nailed Vatsa’s role in the coup plot.
He claimed he was devastated by the discovery, particularly because of his personal friendship with Vatsa.
“I was devastated and shocked, I was disorganised, I was disappointed,” he said.
He had a personal relationship with Vatsa, but military law gave him no choice once the investigation had confirmed his involvement, the former military president said.
“I am sorry, there is nothing I can do to free him of the existing penalty of the coup plot in the Military law. My hands were bound. That is how I lost my brother, General Mamman Vatsa,” he added.
Babangida on Nigeria military coups Babangida says successful coups in Nigeria have always involved civilians, sometimes the rich playing a part in sponsoring or backing military actions.
He also talked glowingly of the late businessman and politician, Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola, whom he described as a close friend he had known since his early days in the military.
He commended Abiola’s kindness and his service to Nigerians across ethnic, regional and religious divide.
Chief MKO Abiola was the individual that used his God-given fortune to affect on Nigerians, no matter where you are from. He was exceedingly generous and had friends from many parts of Nigeria. “He will not mind where you come from, he will touch your lives positively with his wealth,” he stated.
Babangida said one of the hardest decisions of his military career was the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, widely considered one of Nigeria’s freest and fairest elections.
He stated the choice was a joint decision and was taken in the larger interest of the country at that point of time.
He remarked, “It was one of the hard decisions taken in the best interest of the country to cancel the election.”
Babangida encouraged Nigerians to stay hopeful and continue to support the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the country faces economic hardships and insecurity.
He said he was optimistic that the country will overcome the present challenges and sooner or later things would fall in place in the general benefit of the country.
Babangida also urged traditional and religious leaders to always put the interest of Nigeria first above personal, sectional and other considerations.
He will be 85 on Monday, August 17, 2026 and special prayers are planned to be held at his residence in Uphill, Minna, Niger State.
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