Lamido Urges Tinubu: “Pay Abiola’s Family the ₦45 Billion Nigeria Owes”
Ex-Governor Sule Lamido says settling the ₦45 billion debt owed to late Chief MKO Abiola’s family will help bring closure to the June 12 crisis and promote national healing.
Abuja, Nigeria – Former Governor of Jigawa State, Alhaji Sule Lamido, has appealed to President Bola Tinubu to pay the ₦45 billion debt which the Federal Government allegedly owes the family of the late Chief MKO Abiola. Lamido made this call on Tuesday during the public launch of his new book, “Being True To Myself,” held in Abuja.
Lamido’s message was clear as he spoke to a hall filled with dignitaries, including former President Olusegun Obasanjo, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, and the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III. The event was also attended by the Minister of Information, who represented President Tinubu.
Chief MKO Abiola is remembered as the winner of the June 12, 1993, presidential election, which was later annulled by the military government. Abiola was never allowed to become president and later died in detention. Lamido said that, “apart from being denied his mandate, Abiola is also owed a huge sum of money by the Nigerian government.
According to Lamido, General Ibrahim Babangida, who was the military president at the time, confirmed that the government owes Abiola ₦45 billion. This debt, Lamido explained, is from business transactions between Abiola’s company and the government many years ago.
During his speech, Lamido said:
“I would like to appeal to President Tinubu to close the chapter of June 12. In his book, General Ibrahim Babangida revealed that Abiola won the election. When I went to him (IBB), he said Abiola is being owed ₦45 billion. Abiola is double punished. One, he was not given the presidency, and two, he is being owed.”
He then turned to the Minister of Information and added:
“Please tell him (President Tinubu) to pay Abiola’s family the ₦45 billion. When this money is paid, the chapter of June 12 will be closed. It is very important.”
Lamido believes that settling this debt will help bring closure to the events of June 12, 1993. “Abiola’s family has suffered enough, first by losing the presidency and then by not receiving money owed to them”,Lamido said. Lamido called this a “double punishment.”
He stressed that paying the money would not only be fair to Abiola’s family but would also help Nigeria move on from one of its most painful political crises.
Lamido used the occasion to thank Allah for his blessings and for making the book launch possible. He also expressed deep gratitude to former President Obasanjo, calling him his “Boss, Guide, Leader, and Inspiration.” Lamido praised Obasanjo for writing the foreword to his book and for attending the event in person.
He also thanked General Abdulsalami Abubakar for his support and the Sultan of Sokoto for his efforts in promoting religious harmony and for attending the launch despite his busy schedule.
Lamido acknowledged Dr. Iyorchia Ayu for reviewing the book and described him as a longtime friend. He commended the editorial and organising teams for their hard work and thanked the media subcommittee for creating national awareness about the book.
Lamido’s call to President Tinubu is a reminder of the unresolved issues from Nigeria’s past. He believes that paying the ₦45 billion debt to Abiola’s family will be a big step towards healing and closing the chapter on June 12. The appeal has sparked fresh discussions about justice and reconciliation in Nigeria.
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