Lamido Links June 12 Annulment to Military’s Refusal to Pay N45bn Debt to Abiola, Calls on Tinubu for Resolution

At the public presentation of his autobiography Being True to Myself in Abuja, former Jigawa Governor Sule Lamido disclosed a new dimension to the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election. He revealed that the military government’s refusal to pay a N45 billion contract debt owed to the late MKO Abiola was a major factor behind the annulment.

Lamido recounted that after the death of General Murtala Mohammed, Abiola sought payment for contracts executed under the Ministry of Communications, but the military leadership declined. “They cancelled the June 12 elections because if they made him President, he would take his money and the country would become bankrupt,” Lamido said.

He urged President Bola Tinubu to settle this debt with Abiola’s family to bring closure to the June 12 issue. “Please tell the President to pay the Abiola family the N45bn. Once this is done, the June 12 chapter will be closed,” he stressed.

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who attended the event, praised Lamido’s diplomatic service and encouraged continued efforts to realize Nigeria’s full potential. The Minister of Information, speaking on behalf of President Tinubu, commended Lamido’s book as a significant political contribution and highlighted ongoing government reforms in security, economy, and development.

The event drew numerous political leaders, including former Vice Presidents Atiku Abubakar and Namadi Sambo, former Senate Presidents, governors, and the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi.