I was overthrown by corrupt officers in 1985 – Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari has again revealed some reasons behind why he was toppled in a palace coup in August 1985, stating that he was removed by some corrupt, senior military officers.”
Recall that Buhari became Nigeria’s head of state, through a coup, on December 31, 1983.

...And was overthrown by the Former military president, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, a retired general and former military president, Aliyu Gusau, former director of military intelligence (DMI), and other members of the then ruling Supreme Military Council (SMC) took over power on August 27, 1985.

After his overthrow, Buhari was put under house arrest for so many months until his release in 1988, after the death of his mother.

In a chat with The Interview, Buhari said he was overthrown because of his crusade against corruption in the military. He said senior military leaders ousted him to save themselves from his wrath.

Contrary to that, President Buhari seems to have not forgotten what went down on August 27, 1985 as he revisited the issue on a two-day working visit to Edo State, yesterday.

Buhari said many had forgotten that he spent most part of his 40 months detention in the ancient city.


“Not many people may remember: I spent most of the 40 months of my detention, following the 1985 coup, in a small bungalow here in Benin,” he said.

Meanwhile, the statement came after after inaugurating a remodeled 200-bed capacity ultra modern central hospital, which the administration of Governor Adams Oshiomhole, the outgoing governor, built in Benin, Buhari said he was impressed with the edifice.

The president also noted that it was “the best way to do things and the best thing to do for the people” by any government.

Buhari also inaugurated the Upper Siluko Road in the state capital and said “the road will stand the test of time.