A former First Lady of Nigeria and wife of former head of state, Maryam Abacha has defended her late husband, Gen Sani Abacha against claims that he looted the country’s treasury during his reign.
She refuted allegations that her late husband looted billions of dollars from Nigeria’s treasury during his tenure as military leader.
Mrs. Abacha made this known on Monday during an interview on Television Continental (TVC) in commemoration of the 27th anniversary of Abacha’s death.
She claimed that the late military ruler never stole public funds but rather saved money for the country, alleging that the saved funds mysteriously vanished shortly after his demise in 1998.
“Who is the witness of the monies that were being stashed away?” she asked.
“Did you see the signature or the evidence of any monies stashed abroad? And the monies that my husband kept for Nigeria, in a few months, the monies vanished. People are not talking about that.”
According to her, the funds attributed to him as stolen disappeared under suspicious circumstances after his demise on June 8, 1998.
She argued that the consistent vilification of her late husband was rooted in prejudice and political scape-goating.
“Why are you blaming somebody? Is that tribalism or a religious problem or what is the problem with Nigerians?
“I pray for Nigerians. I pray for all of us. I pray that we should have goodness in our hearts. We should stop telling lies and blaming people.”
“I think the press should try, the press, you, the press, should try to educate the people. You are here to help the country.
“You are not here to bastardise people. People are not that bad. 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.”
The Nation | TVCNews
