Settle FG’s N45bn Debt To Abiola’s Family – Lamido Urges Tinubu

Former Governor of Jigawa State, Alhaji Sule Lamido, has pleaded with President Bola Tinubu to settle the N45 billion that the Federal Government is reportedly owing to the late Chief MKO Abiola.

Lamido, who made the plea during the public presentation of his autobiography, Being True to Myself, in Abuja on Tuesday, said settling the debt would help close the long-standing controversy surrounding the June 12, 1993, presidential election that Abiola won but was denied victory.

He said: “When (General) Murtala (Muhammed) died, Abiola came in with a claim that he was owed, I think, about N45 billion for contracts executed by International Telephone and Telecommunication (ITT) for the Ministry of Communications.

“The Military High Command at that time said no. He went round the emirs in the North to lobby, and the emirs asked that they (military) please pay the money.

“They (Military) said they cancelled the June 12 elections because if they made him President, he would take his money and the country would become bankrupt. Those who were close to Abacha should know this, because Abacha was then one of the big shots; they were all aware.

“Before I end my remarks, I want to appeal to President Tinubu to finally close the chapter of June 12.

“In his book, General Ibrahim Babangida acknowledged that Abiola won the election. When I visited him, he also confirmed that Abiola is owed N45 billion. He was doubly punished: first, denied the presidency; second, denied what is owed to him.”

Directly addressing the Minister of Information, who represented President Tinubu at the launch, Lamido added; “Please tell him to pay Abiola’s family the N45 billion.

“When this money is paid, the chapter of June 12 will be closed. It is very important.”

Among several dignitaries that attended the launch were former President Olusegun Obasanjo, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi, Gombe State Governor, Inuwa Yahaya, and former Governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Tambuwal.