A prominent member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Jonathan Vatsa, has linked former President Muhammadu Buhari’s absence from General Ibrahim Babangida’s book launch to unresolved tensions from the 1985 coup that ousted Buhari from power.
Speaking to journalists, Vatsa described Buhari’s decision to skip the event as unsurprising, given the deep scars left by the military takeover led by Babangida. He argued that the coup was not just a political move but a personal betrayal that shaped Buhari’s relationship with Niger State.
According to Vatsa, Buhari’s long-standing resentment against Babangida indirectly affected Niger State, which was perceived as the retired general’s stronghold. He claimed the state suffered neglect during Buhari’s eight-year presidency due to this grudge.
He stated, “The whole world knows that Niger State was made a scapegoat by former President Buhari because of IBB. For eight years, he did not pay any serious official visits to the state, and no single federal project was executed in the state. The Baro port project, which recently generated some political heat in the state, was abandoned by Buhari, including all the federal road projects across the state.”
Vatsa further lamented the consequences of this alleged neglect, suggesting that the people of Niger State were unfairly punished for a political rivalry beyond their control.
“The people of the state were made to pay for sin they know nothing about. It was the case that when two elephants fight, the grass suffered. He sidelined the state just because of the sin of one person,” he added.
The book launch, which was attended by notable political figures, has sparked discussions on the lingering effects of past military rivalries on Nigeria’s political landscape. While Vatsa refrained from commenting on the book’s content, he hinted that he would share his thoughts after thoroughly reviewing it.