Former Governor of Jigawa State, Sule Lamido, has called on President Bola Tinubu to settle an alleged N45 billion debt owed to the late Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale (M.K.O.) Abiola.
Lamido made the appeal during the launch of his autobiography, Being True to Myself, held on Tuesday at the NAF Conference Centre in Abuja.
He described the payment as a symbolic and moral closure to the June 12 struggle and the injustice Abiola suffered following the annulment of the 1993 presidential election, which is widely believed to have been won by Abiola.
“Before I conclude, I appeal to President Tinubu to finally close the June 12 chapter,” Lamido said. “In his book, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida acknowledged Abiola’s victory in that election. When I visited him, he also confirmed that Abiola is owed N45 billion. He was doubly punished — denied both the presidency and his rightful due.”
Lamido directed his appeal to the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Muhammad Idris, who represented the President at the event.
“Please tell the President to pay the Abiola family the N45 billion. That will finally close the June 12 chapter,” he reiterated.
Babangida recently confirmed, after 32 years, that Abiola indeed won the historic election. Its annulment remains a watershed moment in Nigeria’s democratic journey, triggering political unrest and hastening Babangida’s resignation.
Earlier at the event, former Head of State Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar — represented by former INEC Chairman Prof. Attahiru Jega — described Lamido’s memoir as a candid and insightful reflection on Nigeria’s political history. He emphasized the importance of such works in fostering civic consciousness and preserving national memory.
The book was launched by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, with former Senate President Dr. Iyorchia Ayu serving as the reviewer. Ayu described the book as “a personal encounter with power and leadership.”
Other notable attendees included Governor Umar Namadi of Jigawa, Governor Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe, and Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi.
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