Former military Head of State, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, has said no military coup can succeed without the involvement or support of civilians.
Babangida, popularly known as IBB, made the remark while reflecting on Nigeria’s history of military interventions in politics and the circumstances surrounding past coups.
According to him, military officers cannot successfully take over government without some level of civilian involvement, whether through support, collaboration or acceptance.
The former military ruler said coups are often influenced by broader political and social conditions within a country rather than being solely the decision of members of the armed forces.
He stressed the importance of strengthening democratic institutions and ensuring good governance to prevent circumstances that could encourage military intervention in politics.
Babangida also called for greater attention to the concerns of citizens, noting that political leaders must address issues capable of creating dissatisfaction and instability.
He urged Nigerians to protect democracy and support institutions established to guarantee constitutional governance.
The former military leader maintained that the military should remain focused on its constitutional responsibility of protecting the nation’s territorial integrity and security.
He warned against attempts to undermine democratic governance, stressing that political disagreements should be resolved through constitutional and democratic channels.
Support InfoStride News' Credible Journalism: Only credible journalism can guarantee a fair, accountable and transparent society, including democracy and government. It involves a lot of efforts and money. We need your support. Click here to Donate