IBB: No coup succeeds without civilian collaborators, says Vasta death devastating

Former military president Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida has said no successful military coup in Nigeria has been carried out without the involvement or support of civilians.

Babangida made the assertion in an interview with Badeggi 90.1 FM in Minna, Niger State, ahead of his 85th birthday on Monday.

The former military ruler said wealthy civilians had historically played important roles in financing and supporting military takeovers, stressing that coups could not succeed through military participation alone.

“No successful coup in Nigeria’s history had occurred without civilian involvement,” Babangida said.

The former military president also spoke about one of the most painful episodes of his administration — the 1985 coup plot that led to the execution of his close associate and then Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, General Mamman Vatsa.

Babangida said he initially struggled to believe allegations that Vatsa was involved in the plot because of their close relationship and shared military background.

“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 General 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.