The family of the late Gen. Mamman Jiya Vatsa, who was executed in 1986 by the administration of Gen. Ibrahim Babangida (IBB) for allegedly plotting a coup, has described the former military Head of State’s recently released autobiography as “a collection of distorted facts” and “a good reference material for criminals.”
Addressing journalists in Minna on Tuesday, February 25, Jonathan Vatsa, the family’s spokesperson and a cousin of the late General, expressed outrage over Babangida’s claim that Vatsa’s killing was justified because there was evidence that implicated him in a coup.
He 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.”
He querried Babangida’s identity, citing 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 the former military president 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 condemned IBB for continuing to harass the late General Vatsa and his family long after he had k!lled him.
“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.”
