IBB Under Fire: Jonathan Exposes How Babangida Keeps Vatsa’s Legacy In Chains

The family of the late General Mamman Vatsa has dismissed former Head of State Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida’s (IBB) newly released autobiography, calling it a fabrication of lies and labeling it a reference book for criminals.

Both Babangida and Vatsa, who hailed from Niger State, were close friends before Babangida, as Head of State, sanctioned Vatsa’s execution over an alleged coup plot in 1986. A Supreme Military Tribunal convicted Vatsa and others, sentencing them to death by firing squad. Despite an appeal, the Babangida-led military government carried out the execution before a ruling was given.

‘A Distortion of History’

The Vatsa family strongly rejected Babangida’s claims that the execution was justified based on evidence of Vatsa’s involvement in a coup plot. Babangida also asserted that the decision was made in the interest of national stability.

Speaking in Minna, former Niger State Commissioner for Information, Culture, and Tourism, Hon. Jonathan Vatsa, condemned Babangida for what he described as an attempt to rewrite history.

“This so-called autobiography is nothing more than a collection of distorted facts written by a man who has denied his identity. It is not fit to be a reference for future generations—only for those with criminal intentions,” he declared.

‘Babangida Denied His Identity’

The former APC Publicity Secretary expressed disappointment over Babangida’s credibility, questioning his past decisions and name change from Badamosi to Babangida.

“Where did he get the name Badamosi in the first place? That name is not northern; it is associated with the South-West. A man who disowns his own heritage has no moral authority to speak of honor,” Vatsa asserted.

‘A Cowardly General’

Vatsa further accused Babangida of lacking courage, exposing contradictions in his account of Nigeria’s political history. He refuted Babangida’s claim that it was General Sani Abacha who annulled the June 12 election, arguing that a true leader would have taken responsibility instead of shifting blame.

“How can he claim that Abacha annulled June 12 when he was the Head of State? He admitted in his book that he couldn’t retire Abacha because he feared being killed. That is not the mark of a true leader,” Vatsa criticized.

‘A Web of Lies and Blackmail’

The Vatsa family insisted that Babangida’s book further tarnished his already controversial legacy, describing it as “a web of lies and blackmail.”

“Unfortunately, the people he blamed for the June 12 annulment are no longer alive to defend themselves. That is why no serious-minded individual should take this book seriously,” Vatsa stated.

He also accused Babangida of disturbing Vatsa’s memory even in death.

“Even in the grave, Babangida refuses to let General Vatsa rest in peace. He continues to trouble his name and his family. But while the world saw our brother’s end, Babangida still does not know how his own story will conclude,” he said.

‘A Celebration of Injustice’

Expressing disappointment over the high-profile figures who attended Babangida’s book launch, the Niger APC chieftain lamented that Nigeria remains a country where wrongdoing is often glorified.