Former military president Ibrahim Babangida has opened up on two of the most controversial decisions of his administration: the execution of his childhood friend and former military colleague, General Mamman Jiya Vatsa, and the annulment of the June 12, 1993, presidential election.
Babangida spoke during a special programme monitored on Badeggi 90.1 FM in Minna as part of activities marking his 85th birthday.
Reflecting on Vatsa’s execution, the former military ruler said he initially found it difficult to believe reports linking his childhood friend to an alleged plot to overthrow his government in 1985.
Babangida said he and Vatsa grew up together, attended the then Bida Middle School, now Government College, Bida, graduated in the same year and later joined the military together.
“When I first heard the rumours that General Mamman Vatsa was involved in a plot to overthrow my administration, I could not believe it,” he said.
According to him, he summoned Vatsa and General Mohammed Gado Nasko after their names emerged in connection with the alleged coup plot. He said both officers denied any involvement.
A military commission of inquiry was subsequently constituted to investigate the allegations. Babangida said the panel cleared Nasko but found evidence linking Vatsa to the coup attempt.
He described the outcome as devastating but said military law prevented him from intervening.
“My hands were tied. That was how I lost my brother, General Mamman Vatsa,” Babangida said.
The former military leader also spoke about the role of civilians in previous military coups in Nigeria, claiming that wealthy individuals often provided financial and other forms of support to coup plotters.
On the late businessman and politician, Chief MKO Abiola, Babangida described him as a close friend and a generous Nigerian who maintained relationships across ethnic, religious and regional boundaries.
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He also revisited the June 12, 1993, presidential election, which Abiola was widely declared to have won before Babangida’s administration annulled the poll.
Babangida described the annulment as one of the toughest decisions of his military career, saying it was collectively taken by his government based on what they believed at the time was in the best interest of Nigeria.
“It was one of the toughest decisions taken during my military career, but it was made in what we believed was the best interest of the nation,” he said.
Babangida further urged Nigerians to remain hopeful despite the country’s economic and security challenges and called for continued support for President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
He also appealed to traditional and religious leaders to put the national interest first and work towards peace, unity and development.
The former military president is scheduled to mark his 85th birthday on Monday, August 17, 2026, with special prayers at his Uphill residence in Minna, Niger State.
