By Ken Chiwendu
Sule Lamido, a former Governor of Jigawa State has urged President Bola Tinubu to pay a N45 billion debt allegedly owed to late Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale (MKO) Abiola., undeclared winner of the June 12,1993 Presidential election.
Lamido ,a Chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party PDP, made the appeal during the launch of his autobiography, ‘Being True to Myself’, held on Tuesday at the NAF Conference Centre, Abuja.
He said the payment would symbolically and morally close the June 12 struggle and Abiola’s unjust treatment following the annulment of the 1993 presidential election.
Lamido stated that the June 12, 1993, election is widely believed to have been won by Abiola.
“Before concluding, I appeal to President Tinubu to finally close the June 12 chapter.
“In his book, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida 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.
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, with Dr Iyorchia Ayu serving as the reviewer.
Ayu described the work as “a personal encounter with power and leadership.”
Other guests included Gov. Umar Namadi of Jigawa, Gov. Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe, and Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi.
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