Former Jigawa State Governor, Alhaji Sule Lamido, has appealed to President Bola Tinubu to pay the ₦45 billion allegedly owed by the Federal Government to the family of the late Chief MKO Abiola. Lamido made the call during the public launch of his book, “Being True To Myself”, held in Abuja on Tuesday.

The former governor emphasized that settling the debt would serve as a step toward closing the chapter on the June 12, 1993, presidential election. Referencing revelations from former military president Ibrahim Babangida, Lamido said, “Abiola won the election. I went to see IBB, and he told me Abiola is being owed ₦45 billion. He suffered twice — denied his mandate and left unpaid.”

Speaking to the Minister of Information, who represented the President at the event, Lamido urged him to deliver a direct message: “Please tell Tinubu to pay the ₦45 billion owed to Abiola’s family. That payment would mark a symbolic closure to the June 12 story. It’s important.”

The event drew a high-profile audience, including the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, former Vice Presidents, Alh. Atiku Abubakar and Namadi Sambo, former Senate Presidents, David Mark and Ken Nnamani, 2023 Labour Party Presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and other notable figures.

Lamido also acknowledged former President Olusegun Obasanjo, describing him as his “boss, guide, and inspiration”, while also praising General Abdulsalami Abubakar for his integrity and service. The former governor’s remarks contribute to renewed calls for national reconciliation and justice over the annulled 1993 election, which remains a turning point in Nigeria’s democratic history.