In an interview published in the 5 July, 1993 edition of TheNEWS, late President Muhammadu spoke about his government and why he was overthrown as Head of State in 1985 by the Ibrahim Babangida junta. Read the excerpt below:
ON WHY HE WAS OVERTHROWN
I was removed because certain members of my cabinet felt because they were in public office they were entitled to things other than what is specified in their terms and conditions of service. They know me that I don’t compromise my personal or professional integrity. I tell them that at meetings, If they think I have done other things let them bring the facts now, I am free can talk and they can talk. I think we are both in a position to do it.
WAS HE AWARE OF THE PLANNED OVERTHROW?
(A deep sigh) Yes, there were security reports that some of my colleagues were not happy with the way I was running the government.
WHAT ACTION DID HE TAKE?
We discussed the issue and I asked them if they were in my position what would they do? Would they have a separate law for themselves and their friends and family and a separate law for the rest of Nigerians? They said of course I was right, we should go by the Nigerian law, and so I carried on. Of course they didn’t mean it. Subsequent events which led to the coup showed they didn’t mean it.
WHY HE DIDN’T ACT FAST.
No I wasn’t tired. I wasn’t fed up either. But I didn’t want to kill anybody for intentions. God knows what is in your heart. Even God does not kill for intentions. But you don’t go and kill people for intentions.
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