The family of late Chief Moshood Abiola has demanded information about the supposed N45 billion debt owing to it by the Federal Government.
The call followed recent comments by former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido, who urged President Bola Tinubu to recompense the family as a symbol of national reconciliation and justice.
Lamido had reignited a dispute over money supposedly owing to the late Abiola, demanding that the Federal Government pay the business mogul’s heirs around N45 billion.
Lamido informed guests at the May 2025 presentation of his biography, ‘Being True to Myself’, in Abuja that Abiola’s company, International Telephone & Telegraph, fulfilled large communications contracts for the military regime in the 1970s but was never completely paid.
He said that Murtala Muhammed, a former head of state, recognised the amount prior to his killing in 1976 and that Abiola privately verified the figure when Lamido visited him shortly before being arrested in 1994.
Lamido presented the unpaid payment as “double punishment”, claiming Abiola was denied the presidency when his June 12, 1993 electoral victory was overturned and then denied the contract money he was owed.
He said that settling the lawsuit will bring moral and symbolic closure to Nigeria’s long-running June 12 controversy while also demonstrating President Bola Tinubu’s dedication to justice for pro-democracy figures.
“Abiola kept faith with this country; paying what is owed will close the chapter decently,” Lamido told the audience, which included Information Minister Mohammed Idris, whom he asked to relay the appeal to the president.
The disclosure rekindled public debate on Nigeria’s democratic journey and the sacrifices of Abiola, who died in detention in 1998 after attempting to retrieve his electoral mandate.
Gani Adams, the Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, spoke in an interview and urged President Tinubu to take action on the situation.
He said, “That money should be paid to Abiola’s family. 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.”
Adams also advocated for broad recognition of Abiola’s legacy.
Jamiu Abiola, speaking on behalf of the family, told reporters that the family required further information on the debt in order to take action.
He said, “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.”
A senior presidency official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said the family might file claims if they had enough proof.
He did, however, say that Lamido had “no business” speaking for the family.
“The children of MKO Abiola are still very much alive. The first son is alive. So, if there is any money the government is owing Abiola, let them file a claim. It is not for Sule Lamido to be saying this.
“Obasanjo was president for eight years. Why didn’t he pay it? President Buhari was there for eight years; why didn’t he pay? So, I don’t think it is Sule Lamido’s business at all.”
