By Joshua Tosin Ogunsakin 
Former Jigawa State Governor, Sule Lamido, has urged President Bola Tinubu to pay the N45 billion allegedly owed to the late Chief MKO Abiola by the Federal Government.
Lamido made the appeal in Abuja on Tuesday during the public presentation of his autobiography, Being True to Myself.
The event was attended by several dignitaries, including former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi, Gombe State Governor, Inuwa Yahaya, former Governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Tambuwal, and other notable figures.
Lamido said settling the debt would help close the long-standing controversy surrounding the June 12, 1993, presidential election, in which Abiola won but was denied the presidency.
He said: “When (General) Murtala (Muhammed) died, Abiola came in with a claim that he was owed, I think, about N45billion for contracts executed by International Telephone and Telecommunication for the Ministry of Communications.
“The military high command at that time said no. He went round the emirs in the North to lobby, and the emirs asked that they (military) please pay the money.
“They (military) said they cancelled the June 12 elections because if they made him President, he would take his money and the country would become bankrupt. Those who were close to Abacha should know this, because Abacha was then one of the big shots; they were all aware.
“Before I end my remarks, I want to appeal to President Tinubu to finally close the chapter of June 12.
“In his book, General Ibrahim Babangida acknowledged that Abiola won the election. When I visited him, he also confirmed that Abiola is owed N45 billion. He was doubly punished: first, denied the presidency; second, denied what is owed to him.”
Speaking to the Minister of Information, who represented the President at the launch, Lamido added, “Please tell him to pay Abiola’s family the N45 billion. When this money is paid, the chapter of June 12 will be closed. It is very important.”