The family of the late Chief Moshood Kashimawo Abiola has called for detailed information regarding the reported N45 billion debt allegedly owed to the late business mogul and winner of the annulled June 12, 1993 presidential election.
The demand comes after former Jigawa State Governor, Sule Lamido, urged President Bola Tinubu to compensate the Abiola family as part of efforts to achieve national healing and uphold justice.
Lamido, speaking in Abuja at the launch of his memoir “Being True to Myself” in May 2025, reignited public interest in the long-standing financial dispute. He claimed that Abiola’s company, International Telephone & Telegraph, executed major communications contracts for the military government in the 1970s but was not fully paid.
According to Lamido, former Head of State, General Murtala Muhammed, acknowledged the debt before his assassination in 1976, and Abiola himself confirmed the outstanding sum during a private conversation in 1994, shortly before his arrest.
Describing the situation as “double punishment,” Lamido said Abiola was not only denied the presidency but also the payment due to his company. He urged the Tinubu administration to settle the debt as a moral gesture and a symbolic end to the June 12 political saga.
“Abiola kept faith with this country. Paying what is owed will close the chapter decently,” Lamido told the gathering, which included the Minister of Information, Mohammed Idris, whom he appealed to convey the message to the President.
The renewed call has stirred public discourse around Abiola’s sacrifices for democracy and his unfulfilled presidential mandate. Abiola died in detention in 1998 while trying to reclaim the mandate conferred by what is widely regarded as Nigeria’s freest and fairest election.
Reacting to Lamido’s statement, the Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Gani Adams, also called on President Tinubu to act swiftly on the matter.
“That money should be paid to Abiola’s family,” Adams said. “It is not just about compensation; it is about honouring a man who gave everything for this democracy. Giving an appointment to one of his children is not enough.”
However, the Abiola family appears cautious in its response. Jamiu Abiola, speaking on behalf of the family, told Saturday PUNCH that they need more information about the debt before making any formal claim.
“The former governor did not say what the money was owed for. He didn’t give much detail about it. Since then, the matter has been what it is. Before we can say more about it, we need more details. For now, the issue that the money be paid cannot come up because it hasn’t been substantiated,” Jamiu said.
A senior Presidential official, who requested anonymity, stated that if the Abiola family had evidence, they were within their rights to file a claim. However, he dismissed Lamido’s involvement, saying, “It is not for Sule Lamido to be saying this. The children of MKO Abiola are still very much alive. If there is any money the government owes Abiola, let them file a claim.”
The official also questioned why former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Muhammadu Buhari did not address the alleged debt during their tenures.
Meanwhile, Hafsat Abiola-Costello, another member of the family, expressed appreciation to President Tinubu for posthumously conferring the national honour of Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (CFR) on their late mother, Kudirat Abiola.
“There are no words to adequately express the depth of gratitude I feel at President Tinubu’s posthumous conferment of the merit of CFR on my mum, Kudirat Abiola,” she said.
“She was guided both by love and a sense of duty to defend her husband’s mandate and to work with many across the country for the restoration of democracy. Yet, I have no doubt that she would have been overwhelmed with joy to be so honoured.”
As Nigeria prepares to mark another June 12 Democracy Day, the legacy of MKO Abiola continues to echo, raising important questions about justice, recognition, and national reconciliation.
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