‘Mamman Vatsa Was Innocent’, Family Hails Tinubu’s State Pardon

The family of late General Mamman Jiya Vatsa has reacted to the state pardon granted to him by President Bola Tinubu following the ratification of the Council of State on Thursday, saying it welcomed the decision but insisting that late Vatsa was innonent.

The spokesman of the Vatsa family, Hon. Jonathan Vatsa, in a statement, acknowledged the kind gesture of the President, describing it as long awaited but insisted that Mamman Vatsa was actually innocent of the coup plot he was executed for in 1986.

Hon. Vatsa said President Tinubu has wiped away the tears of the family after 39 years of sorrow and sadness.

Jonathan Vatsa said: “After several appeals to every successive administration, God has finally used President Tinubu to console the family, the Gulu Vatsa community, Lapai local government and the entire state.”

“Today is the happiest moment in the life of the family after 39 years of sorrow and sadness following the killing of our late father, brother and uncle, though nothing can bring him back to life, the family is consoled by this display of statesmanship by our dear President Tinubu. He has written his name in gold and history will forever remember him,” he added.