A former Governor of Jigawa State, Alhaji Sule Lamido, has appealed to President Bola Tinubu to settle once and for all the N45 billion debt owed to late Chief Moshood Abiola, winner of the annulled 1993 Presidential election.
He made the appeal during the launch of his autobiography, ‘Being True to Myself’, held on Tuesday, at the NAF Conference Centre, Abuja.
Lamido said the payment would symbolically and morally finally close the June 12 struggle and Abiola’s unjust treatment following the annulment of the 1993 presidential election.
Sunrise News reports that Nigerians recently got to learn that the late politician, Basorun MKO Abiola, was the actually winner of the June 12, 1993, election.
Lamido said, “Before concluding, I appeal to President Tinubu to finally close the June 12 chapter.
“In his book, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida had acknowledged Abiola’s victory in that election.
“When I visited him, he also confirmed Abiola is owed N45 billion. He was doubly punished: denied both the presidency and his due.”
Lamido urged the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Muhammad Idris, who represented Tinubu, to deliver the message to the President.
“Please tell the President to pay the Abiola family the N45 billion. That will finally close the June 12 chapter,” Lamido emphasised.
“Babangida recently confirmed, after 32 years, that Abiola had indeed won the historic June 12 election.
“The annulment marked a turning point in Nigeria’s democratic history, triggering political unrest and accelerating Babangida’s resignation. Nigeria: Nigerian fashion,” Lamido said.
Earlier, former Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, described Lamido’s autobiography as a candid, insightful reflection on Nigeria’s political journey.
Abubakar, represented by ex-INEC Chairman Prof. Attahiru Jega, stressed the value of such books in promoting civic awareness and preserving history.
The book was launched by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, while former Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Dr Iyorchia Ayu, was the reviewer.
Ayu described the work as “a personal encounter with power and leadership.” Other very important guests at the event included former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Gov. Umar Namadi of Jigawa, Gov. Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe, and Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi.
