Maryam Abacha, the wife of the late Nigerian military Head of State, General Sani Abacha, has firmly rejected long-standing allegations that her husband looted billions of dollars from the nation’s coffers during his time in power.
In a recent appearance on Politics on Sunday, a current affairs programme aired on TVC and hosted by Femi Akande, the former First Lady described the accusations as unjust, misleading, and based on speculation rather than fact.
Addressing the widespread belief that General Abacha embezzled and stashed vast sums of public funds overseas, Mrs. Abacha dismissed the allegations, demanding credible evidence to back such claims.
“Who has witnessed the so-called stashed money? Is there any document bearing his signature? Where is the proof?” she asked rhetorically. “Even the money my husband kept for Nigeria—within a few months, it vanished. So why blame him?”
She insisted that her husband had been wrongfully portrayed by the media and political narratives over the years, arguing that much of the discourse surrounding him lacked substantiated facts. In her view, the former Head of State was a victim of posthumous political scapegoating.
During the interview, Maryam also refuted claims that her husband was responsible for the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election. She suggested that such assertions elevated his influence to unrealistic levels.
“The annulment was not done by my husband. But if people believe it was him, then they are saying he was more powerful than the President at that time. That would make him the greatest. But I’m not here to talk about Babangida or anybody. All I know is my husband did not annul that election,” she stated.
Turning to Nigeria’s contemporary security situation, the former First Lady expressed her deep concern over the prolonged insurgency and persistent armed conflict plaguing the country. She questioned why a nation as resourceful and militarily experienced as Nigeria has failed to subdue insurgents after over a decade.
“I don’t understand why insurgents have lasted this long. Smaller countries have dealt with their own crises. We are more equipped, more experienced, and wealthier,” she lamented.
Maryam called for stronger cooperation between the civilian government and the military in addressing insecurity, drawing on her husband’s legacy of military coordination.
“I believe in the capacity of our armed forces. If ECOMOG could restore peace in other nations, why can’t we ensure peace in Nigeria? The solution lies in a strong government–military partnership,” she emphasized.
Mrs. Abacha also condemned the growing division in Nigerian society based on ethnicity and religion, calling for tolerance and mutual respect among citizens.
“Why are we so harsh towards each other? Is it because someone is a Northerner or Southerner, a Muslim or a Christian? It’s unfair. We must rise above these divisions,” she said.
She urged Nigerians to set aside prejudices and work collectively towards peace and development.
Reflecting on her tenure as First Lady, Mrs. Abacha criticized the lack of policy continuity in successive governments. She argued that this discontinuity often leads to stalled development and abandoned initiatives.
“Every administration brings in new programs, but if we do not build on what was already in place, there can be no real progress,” she remarked. As an example, she cited the Africa First Ladies Peace Mission, an initiative that began during her time in office and has continued to thrive.
Defending the structure of past military governments, Mrs. Abacha maintained that such regimes had a sense of order, discipline, and resolve that she believes is often lacking in civilian administrations.
“No government can entirely fail. Military rule is different; it is marked by willpower and decisiveness. Perhaps civilian governments lack that kind of strength. The key, however, is cooperation across all levels,” she stated.
In her concluding remarks, Maryam Abacha appealed to the media and citizens to adopt a more constructive approach in national discourse. She stressed the importance of responsible journalism and patriotic engagement.
“Let’s pray for Nigeria. Let’s treat our leaders with respect and speak well of them. The media must tell the truth and contribute to nation-building, not to tearing down people’s reputations,” she urged.
As one of Nigeria’s most controversial former First Ladies, Mrs. Abacha’s remarks are likely to reignite public debate on her late husband’s legacy, the military’s role in governance, and the importance of national unity.