Maryam Abacha, widow of former military ruler General Sani Abacha, has forcefully rejected long-standing allegations of large-scale corruption against her late husband. In a televised interview with TVC, Mrs. Abacha demanded tangible proof that billions were stolen during Abacha’s reign, casting doubt on the credibility of international and domestic claims.
“Who is the witness of the monies that were being stashed?” she asked, pressing for direct evidence such as signatures or records linking her husband to the alleged offshore accounts.
She further claimed that certain funds “kept for Nigeria” by her husband vanished shortly after his 1998 death—alleging that this aspect has been deliberately ignored in public discourse. Mrs. Abacha also raised concerns about ethnic and religious bias behind the sustained criticism, asking, “Why are we so bad towards each other?”
Challenging media narratives, she expressed bewilderment at the decades-long scrutiny. “Twenty-seven years ago, and you are still talking about Abacha… He must be very powerful and loved,” she stated, dismissing reports of looted funds as propaganda.
Referencing Nigeria’s economic stability during the Abacha years, including increased foreign reserves and reduced debt, she questioned the logic of the accusations. “So, where did he steal the money from?” she asked, branding critics as gullible.
Mrs. Abacha closed with an appeal for unity and respect, emphasizing that no individual—past or present—is greater than the country. “Even the single man on the street is very important… All these wahala should stop,” she urged.
