By: Goodluck E. Adubazi, Abuja.

Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, has declared that politicians of the Second Republic have been vindicated by history, decades after being accused of corruption.

Speaking at the public presentation of three new books authored by Umar Yakubu on Friday at the Musa Yar’Adua Centre, Abuja, Tuggar reflected on the events surrounding the 1983 coup that ousted the civilian government of President Shehu Shagari.

“The basis for carrying out the coup on December 31, 1983, was to say that they were corrupt,” Tuggar said. “But not only were they thoroughly investigated and tried—those in exile were even taken to court in the United Kingdom—and they were found not guilty.”

He contrasted the alleged corruption of the Second Republic with what followed under successive military regimes, noting that “if you look at the quantum of funds and the corruption that followed after them, it just goes to show that they were not corrupt.”

The minister also praised the evolution of former Head of State, late President Muhammadu Buhari, describing him as “a leader who turned full circle into a staunch democrat,” reinforcing the idea that the democratic ideals of the Second Republic were ultimately vindicated.

The event featured Yakubu’s new works: The Shadow State: Public Sector Corruption in Nigeria—Causes, Consequences and Reforms; Nigeria Reimagined: Anchoring a Future on Integrity; and Shielding the Heartland: Rethinking Nigeria’s Border Security.

Tuggar lauded the author’s bold policy recommendations, emphasizing that his ideas offer practical insights for reforming governance and addressing Nigeria’s lingering security and corruption challenges.

Ambassador Tuggar revisited the narrative that led to the 1983 military coup.

According to the Minister “The Second Republic leaders were accused of corruption, yet after investigations—even trials abroad—they were found not guilty,” Tuggar stated. “Compared to what came after them under military regimes, their record was far cleaner.”

The Minister argued that Nigeria’s political evolution shows that democracy remains the best form of governance.

“Even General Buhari, who led the coup, later became one of democracy’s strongest advocates,” he noted.

Tuggar also praised Yakubu’s books for their depth and policy relevance, describing them as “bold and practical recommendations for reform.”