A collection of distorted facts and a good reference material for criminals – Vatsa family slams IBB’s new book
The family of the late General Mamman Jiya Vatsa, who was executed in 1986 for his alleged involvement in a coup attempt against General Ibrahim Babangida (IBB), has vehemently criticized IBB’s newly released memoir, describing it as “a collection of distorted facts” and labeling it “a good reference material for criminals.”
The reaction comes after the former military Head of State, Babangida, claimed in his memoir that the execution of General Vatsa was justified due to evidence of his involvement in a coup plot. Jonathan Vatsa, a spokesperson for the family and cousin to the late General, voiced the family’s outrage during a press conference in Minna on Tuesday, February 25. He strongly rejected Babangida’s assertions, calling the book full of lies and distortions.
According to Jonathan Vatsa, the memoir by Ibrahim Babangida represents a series of lies, contradictions, and blackmails aimed at tarnishing the image of the late General Mamman Vatsa. He contended that the book, rather than serving as a historical record, is filled with fabricated stories that hold no credibility and, instead, should serve as a warning about how lies can be manipulated to deceive future generations.
“General Babangida is a man who has lost the right to be considered honorable after the many lies contained in his autobiography,” Jonathan said. “Babangida’s book is nothing but a collection of distorted facts that cannot serve as a reference for young people but rather as a guide for criminals.”
Jonathan went further to question Babangida’s integrity and credibility. He cited an instance where Babangida admitted to changing his name from Badamosi to Babangida, allegedly to better align himself with the northern region. “Northerners don’t bear the name Badamosi; it’s a name synonymous with the South-West people,” Jonathan said, suggesting that the change of name was a deliberate attempt to manipulate his identity and gain favor in northern circles. This, according to Jonathan, was just another example of Babangida’s questionable character.
Another area in which Jonathan Vatsa took issue with Babangida’s memoir was the account of the June 12, 1993, election annulment. In his book, Babangida suggested that it was General Sani Abacha who annulled the election, shifting the blame to him. However, Jonathan vehemently rejected this claim, insisting that the annulment was Babangida’s decision, as he was the one in control of the country at the time.
“How can he lie that Abacha annulled the election when he was in control as Head of State?” Jonathan questioned. “The man he accused of annulling the June 12 election, along with all the key figures involved in that controversy, are no longer alive to defend themselves. That’s why no serious-minded individual should take this book seriously.”
While the content of Babangida’s memoir has raised serious doubts and sparked outrage, the Vatsa family is also deeply troubled by the fact that, even in death, General Mamman Vatsa’s reputation and legacy continue to be tainted by Babangida’s actions. According to Jonathan Vatsa, the book represents another attempt by Babangida to disturb the peace of the Vatsa family, even after their loved one has passed away.
“IBB is still troubling the dead man and his entire family. People have seen how our brother ended, but Babangida doesn’t know how his own story will end,” Jonathan declared. He expressed the family’s pain at how, despite the passage of time, Babangida continues to stir up trouble for General Vatsa, who was executed after being accused of plotting a coup. The execution, Jonathan argues, was not based on any solid evidence but rather on envy, malice, and hatred on the part of IBB.
“We are aware of how our brother’s life was tragically cut short, but what remains is that people can now see that General Vatsa’s killing was done out of sheer envy and hatred. The public has recognized the truth about what happened,” Jonathan emphasized.
The family takes solace in the growing public outcry against Babangida’s actions, particularly the reactions following the release of his memoir. Despite the years that have passed since General Vatsa’s death, Nigerians are increasingly speaking out against the injustice he suffered, reinforcing the belief that his execution was a politically motivated act aimed at eliminating a perceived rival.
General Mamman Vatsa was a prominent figure in the Nigerian military, a man who had earned respect for his contributions to the country. However, his life and legacy were tragically marred by the accusations leveled against him, which led to his execution. The accusations, that he had plotted to overthrow General Babangida, have remained a subject of controversy and debate.
The Vatsa family has long maintained that the charges against General Vatsa were politically motivated and that he was targeted by Babangida due to personal and professional rivalries. His death marked not only the loss of a brilliant military mind but also the loss of a family member whose name would forever be stained by the lies propagated by those in power.
Even after his execution, the Vatsa family has continued to fight for justice, challenging the lies and distortion of history that have followed General Vatsa’s death. In the face of Babangida’s memoir, which they believe further distorts the truth, the family remains resolute in their determination to clear his name and restore his dignity.
The release of Babangida’s memoir has ignited a wave of public reactions, many of which echo the sentiments of the Vatsa family. Nigerians from various walks of life have expressed their outrage over the content of the book and its portrayal of historical events. The fact that Babangida’s memoir has not been met with widespread approval indicates the growing frustration among the public, who continue to question the legitimacy of the claims made in the book.
Social media platforms and news outlets have been abuzz with commentary on Babangida’s controversial memoir, with many critics calling for a deeper examination of the historical events described within it. The criticisms reflect a broader disillusionment with the Nigerian political system, where those in power are often able to manipulate narratives to protect their legacies and avoid accountability.
For the Vatsa family, the support they have received from Nigerians has been a source of comfort, reinforcing their belief that the truth will ultimately prevail. The public outcry over General Vatsa’s execution has been a reminder that, even in the face of powerful figures attempting to rewrite history, the voices of the oppressed will continue to be heard.
The release of Ibrahim Babangida’s memoir has only served to deepen the wounds caused by the execution of General Mamman Jiya Vatsa. Rather than bringing closure or clarity to the events of 1986, Babangida’s book has sparked new outrage, as it continues to distort the facts surrounding General Vatsa’s death. The Vatsa family, led by Jonathan Vatsa, has firmly rejected Babangida’s account, calling it a collection of lies and distortions meant to serve his own interests and protect his legacy.
As the Vatsa family continues to seek justice, they are bolstered by the growing public support that calls for a full and honest reckoning with Nigeria’s past. While General Mamman Vatsa may no longer be alive to defend himself, his family’s fight to clear his name is far from over. In the end, history will remember the truth, and the actions of those who sought to obscure it will be laid bare for all to see.
EXCERPT
“A collection of distorted facts and a good reference material for criminals” – Vatsa family slams IBB’s new book?A collection of distorted facts and a good reference material for criminals? – Vatsa family slams IBB?s new book
The family of late Gen. Mamman Jiya Vatsa, executed in 1986 for allegedly plotting a coup against Gen. Ibrahim Babangida, IBB, has described the former military Head of State’s recently released memoir as “a collection of distorted facts” and “a good reference material for criminals.”Jonathan Vatsa, the family’s spokesperson and a cousin of the late General, who addressed journalists in Minna on Tuesday, February 25, expressed outrage over Babangida’s claim that Vatsa’s killing was justified because there was evidence that implicated him in a coup
“General babangida is a man that has lost in the affairs of honor over the many lies contained in his belated autobiography book.
“Babangida’s book is a bunch of lies and blackmails. It’s a collection of distorted facts that cannot be a reference book for young and upcoming generations but rather for criminals,” Jonathan Vatsa said.Questioning Babangida’s identity, he cited his admission of changing his name from Badamosi to Babangida to associate with the northern region.“Northerners don’t bear the name Badamosi; it’s synonymous with the South-West people,” Vatsa said.
He accused Babangida of lying about the June 12 election annulment, stating that it was Babangida’s decision, not General Sani Abacha’s.
“How can he lie that Abacha annulled the election when he was in control as Head of State.
“Unfortunately the man he accused of annulling the June 12 and all the actors in the June 12 controversy are no more today to tell their own story and that is why no serious minded individual should take the book serious,” the Vatsa family spokesman added
He lamented that even in death, Babangida has refused to allow late General Vatsa and his family have peace.“IBB is still troubling the dead man and his entire family. Well people have seen the end of our brother, but Babangida doesn’t know how he will end.
“Our joy is that the reactions of Nigerians after the so-called book presentation shows that the killing of late General Vatsa was done out of envy, malice and hatred.”
