From Ndubuisi Orji, Abuja
Former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido has urged President Bola Tinubu to settle the ₦45 billion debt owed to the late MKO Abiola, presumed winner of the June 12, 1993, presidential election, by the federal government.
Speaking at the launch of his autobiography, *Being True to Myself*, on Tuesday in Abuja, Lamido, a former National Secretary of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), said paying the debt would provide closure to the June 12 struggle and address the injustice faced by Abiola, whose election victory was annulled by the military.
Abiola, the SDP candidate, was leading the 1993 presidential poll when General Ibrahim Babangida halted result announcements and annulled the election. In his recent autobiography, *A Journey in Service*, Babangida admitted Abiola won the election, securing 8.1 million votes against Bashir Tofa’s 5.8 million.
Lamido recounted that after General Murtala Muhammed’s death in 1976, Abiola claimed he was owed ₦45 billion for contracts executed by his company, International Telephone and Telecommunication, for the Ministry of Communications.
“The military high command at that time said no,” Lamido said, noting Abiola lobbied northern emirs, who urged payment. The military, including then-key figure General Sani Abacha, argued that allowing Abiola to become president would enable him to recover the debt, potentially bankrupting the nation, a factor cited in the election’s annulment.
“I want to appeal to President Tinubu to finally close the chapter of June 12,” Lamido stated, referencing Babangida’s confirmation of both Abiola’s victory and the debt. He described Abiola as “doubly punished” by being denied the presidency and his financial claim.
Addressing Muhammad Malagi, the Minister of Information representing Tinubu at the event, Lamido urged, “Please tell the president to pay the Abiola family the N45 billion. Once this is done, the June 12 chapter will be closed.”