Maryam Abacha, widow of former Nigerian military head of state General Sani Abacha, has vehemently dismissed allegations that her late husband looted Nigeria’s treasury during his rule from 1993 to 1998. Speaking in a rare interview on TVC to mark the 27th anniversary of Abacha’s death, she insisted that all claims of stolen funds are lies and misrepresentations.
Maryam challenged the Nigerian government and international community to produce credible evidence or witnesses proving that her husband stashed illicit monies abroad. She argued that the funds her husband kept for Nigeria mysteriously vanished within months after his death, suggesting that the narrative of looting is misleading.
“Who is the witness of the monies that were being stashed? Did you see the signature or the evidence of any monies stashed abroad?” she asked.
She also criticized the persistent blame on her husband as rooted in tribalism, religious bias, or societal divisions, lamenting the culture of lies and mutual suspicion in Nigeria. Maryam called on Nigerians and the press to focus on educating and informing the public rather than perpetuating falsehoods.
“Why are we so bad towards each other? Because somebody is a Northerner or a Southerner, somebody is a Muslim or a Christian… It’s not fair,” she said.
Maryam further defended her husband’s legacy, noting that Nigeria’s economy was relatively stable under his regime, with increased foreign exchange reserves and reduced external debt. She questioned where the alleged stolen money could have come from if not from her husband’s stewardship.
“So, where did he steal the money from? So where would he have stolen the money from?” she challenged.
On the contentious June 12, 1993, election annulment, Maryam rejected claims that Abacha was responsible, referencing former military president Ibrahim Babangida’s memoir which stated the annulment was announced without his consent. She remarked that if Abacha had orchestrated it, he would have been more powerful than the president himself.
Maryam concluded by urging the media to fulfill their role responsibly and expressed gratitude that her husband remains a powerful and loved figure in Nigeria even 27 years after his passing.
“Twenty-seven years ago and you are still talking about Abacha. He must be very powerful and loved by Nigerians. We thank God for that,” she said.
Her statements reignite the long-standing debate over Abacha’s controversial legacy and the billions of dollars recovered by successive Nigerian governments from foreign accounts linked to his regime.