The family of the Late General Mamman Jiya Vatsa, executed in 1986 for allegedly plotting a coup against Military President Ibrahim Babangida, has rubbished IBB’s memoirs as “a collection of distorted facts” and “a good reference material for criminals.”
Addressing journalists in Minna, Niger State, on Tuesday, February 25, Jonathan Vatsa, the family’s spokesperson and a cousin of the late General, expressed disgust over Babangida’s claim that Vatsa’s killing was justified because there was evidence that implicated the former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory in a coup.
Vatsa said: “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.”
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.
Vatsa said: “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.”
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.”
