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| Late MKO Abiola |
Firstsitenews-The family of the late Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale (MKO) Abiola has requested full details regarding the reported ₦45 billion debt allegedly owed to them by the Federal Government.
This comes after former Jigawa State Governor, Sule Lamido, recently urged President Bola Tinubu to compensate the Abiola family as a gesture of justice and national reconciliation.
At the launch of his memoir Being True to Myself in Abuja in May 2025, Lamido revived the longstanding dispute, stating that Abiola’s company, International Telephone & Telegraph (ITT), completed major telecommunications contracts for Nigeria’s military government in the 1970s but was never fully paid. He claimed that the late Head of State, Murtala Muhammed, had acknowledged the debt before his death in 1976, and that Abiola confirmed the outstanding sum during a private conversation in 1994, shortly before his arrest.
Lamido described the issue as a form of “double punishment,” noting that Abiola was denied the presidency after winning the annulled June 12, 1993 election and was also denied payment for legitimate government contracts. According to him, settling the debt would offer symbolic closure and reaffirm President Tinubu’s commitment to honouring Nigeria’s pro-democracy heroes.
“Abiola remained loyal to Nigeria. Paying this debt would help close the June 12 chapter with dignity,” Lamido said, calling on Information Minister Mohammed Idris to convey the plea to the President.
His remarks have reignited debate over Abiola’s legacy and Nigeria’s democratic history. Gani Adams, the Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, also urged the Federal Government to act, saying, “This is not just about financial compensation. It is about honouring a man who sacrificed everything for democracy. Giving one of his children a political appointment is not enough.”
Speaking on behalf of the family, Jamiu Abiola told Saturday PUNCH that the family had not been given sufficient information to take further action.
“The former governor did not provide details about what the money is supposedly owed for,” he said. “Until we have those details, we can’t take any steps or make demands.”
A senior presidential official, speaking anonymously, said the family could submit a formal claim if they have valid evidence, but questioned Lamido’s involvement.
“MKO Abiola’s children are alive. If the government truly owes any money, they should file a claim,” the source said. “It is not Sule Lamido’s place to speak on their behalf. Why didn’t Obasanjo or Buhari pay the money if it was owed? Lamido has no business raising this now.”
Meanwhile, Abiola’s daughter, Hafsat Abiola, expressed gratitude to the Tinubu administration for posthumously awarding her mother, Kudirat Abiola, the national honour of Commander of the Federal Republic (CFR).
“There are no words to describe how grateful I am,” Hafsat said. “My mother was driven by love and duty to support her husband’s mandate and help restore democracy. I believe she would have been deeply honoured by this recognition.”
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