Maryam Abacha, widow of former military Head of State General Sani Abacha, has dismissed long-standing accusations that her late husband looted billions of dollars during his regime, insisting there is no credible proof to back such claims.
In an interview with TVC on Sunday, Mrs. Abacha challenged the prevailing narrative about her husband’s legacy and questioned the evidence supporting the allegations.
“Who witnessed the monies being stashed? Is there any signature or concrete evidence of money hidden abroad?” she asked.
She also alleged that funds her husband supposedly secured for Nigeria disappeared within months after his passing, a fact she says has been overlooked.
“The money my husband kept for Nigeria vanished a few months after his death. Yet, no one talks about that,” she stated.
Mrs. Abacha expressed frustration over the continued focus on her late husband nearly 30 years after his death, questioning whether ethnic or religious biases fuel the scrutiny.
“Why are people blaming him? Is it tribalism or religious prejudice? Why do Nigerians treat each other so harshly just because of ethnicity or faith?” she asked. “It’s simply not fair.”
She also criticized the media, urging journalists to contribute positively rather than dwell on past controversies.
“People are not all bad. Twenty-seven years later and you’re still talking about Abacha — that means he was very powerful and loved by Nigerians. We thank God for that,” she said.
Responding to remarks about Nigeria’s relatively stable economy under her husband’s rule—marked by rising foreign reserves and reduced external debt—Mrs. Abacha reiterated her stance that no theft occurred.
“So, where did he steal money from? Nigerians shouldn’t believe everything they hear,” she said.
She concluded with a call for unity and mutual respect among Nigerians, emphasizing that no individual is bigger than the nation.
“Babangida doesn’t make Nigeria alone. Abacha doesn’t make Nigeria alone. Abiola, and everyone else—no one is bigger than Nigeria. Even the man on the street matters. We are all human beings. All this tension must stop,” she urged.
