Abacha Never Stole a Kobo from Nigeria Says His Wife

Maryam Abacha has denied claims that her late husband, General Sani Abacha, looted public funds, demanding evidence.

She criticized ongoing accusations, urged national unity, and called on the media to educate rather than malign public figures after decades of scrutiny.

Maryam Abacha, the widow of former Nigerian military ruler, General Sani Abacha, has spoken out against the longstanding accusations that her late husband looted billions of dollars from the nation’s treasury and hid them in foreign bank accounts.

In a recent interview with TVC, Mrs. Abacha insisted there is no solid proof to support the widely reported claims that her husband diverted public funds during his time in power. She questioned the validity of the allegations, asking, “Where is the proof? Who can show that money was hidden abroad? Did anyone see his signature or any evidence linking him to those accounts?”

She went on to suggest that money allegedly set aside by General Abacha for the country’s benefit mysteriously disappeared shortly after his death. According to her, “Whatever funds my husband may have kept for Nigeria were gone just a few months after he died. But nobody is talking about that now.”

Mrs. Abacha expressed frustration over the continuous scrutiny surrounding her husband’s legacy. She questioned the motives behind the unending criticisms and speculated that they might be driven by ethnic or religious bias. “Why is he still being blamed? Is it because of his tribe or religion? What is really the problem with Nigerians?” she asked.

Calling for greater compassion among citizens, she urged Nigerians to stop spreading falsehoods and to focus on being truthful and fair. “I pray for us all to have goodness in our hearts. We should stop lying and blaming others for everything. We’re too hard on each other for the wrong reasons,” she said.

Mrs. Abacha also took a swipe at the media, urging journalists to use their platforms to educate the public rather than paint people in a negative light. “The media should inform and enlighten people, not destroy reputations,” she added.

She expressed surprise that nearly three decades after her husband’s death, his name is still a subject of national conversation. “It’s been 27 years and people are still talking about Abacha. That must mean he had some impact. Nigerians must have really loved him.”

Reflecting on the relatively stable economic indicators during his rule, Mrs. Abacha challenged critics to back their claims with facts. “So, where did he supposedly steal from?” she asked. “People just believe anything they hear without asking questions.”

She concluded by stressing the need for national unity and mutual respect, stating, “No one person is Nigeria. Not Abacha, not Babangida, not Abiola. We all matter. Even the ordinary man in the street has value. Let us stop all this unnecessary conflict.”