The wife of former Nigerian leader General Sani Abacha, Maryam Abacha, has refuted persistent claims that her spouse embezzled massive amounts of money during his tenure as the country’s military ruler.
During an appearance on TVC’s Politics on Sunday with host Femi Akande, Mrs. Abacha characterized the allegations made against her deceased spouse as unjust and based on incorrect information.
"The annulment did not occur because of my husband. If it were indeed him, this would imply that he held greater power than the president back then. This would mean Abacha was supreme. However, I am not here to discuss Babangida or anyone else. The only thing I'm certain about is that my husband wasn't responsible," she declared.
In response to allegations that Abacha had misappropriated state funds, she cast doubt on the absence of concrete proof and contested the story that millions were taken and hidden overseas.
"Who can attest to the funds that were hidden away? Did you notice any signatures or signs of money concealed overseas? As for the funds my husband set aside for Nigeria, they disappeared within a few months. So why are you accusing someone?" she questioned.
Mrs. Abacha similarly urged for solidarity and acceptance amongst Nigerians, criticizing the impact of ethnic and religious prejudice in national conversations.
"Why do we treat each other so poorly? Simply because someone is from the North or South, or follows Islam or Christianity? That isn’t fair," she remarked.
Regarding the present security issues in Nigeria, the previous First Lady voiced her worries about the ongoing insurgency and wondered why Nigeria, with its powerful army, has found it difficult to subdue militant organizations.
"I'm not sure why the insurgents continue to persist for so long. Even some smaller countries have managed to resolve their issues. Given our size, wealth, and experience, we should be able to handle this situation better," she observed.
She highlighted the importance of enhancing cooperation between the civil administration and the armed forces in addressing security issues.
"I trust our military. They possess the capability to address the insurgents effectively. If ECOMOG was successful in restoring peace elsewhere, why shouldn't we achieve the same here? It’s crucial for the government to collaborate closely with the military in resolving this situation," she implored.
Recalling her tenure as First Lady, Mrs. Abacha expressed concern over the absence of consistent policies in Nigeria. She encouraged the present government to maintain effective initiatives started by preceding administrations.
"Each administration introduces its own set of programs. However, without consistency, advancement cannot occur," she stated, highlighting the Africa First Ladies Peace Mission as an enduring effort that continues to operate.
She defended the track record of former military administrations, asserting that these regimes possessed power and organization, despite being widely misinterpreted.
No government should falter. In military rule, however, they possess both the resolve and strength. Perhaps civilian leadership lacks such robustness. Yet, the key to success resides in collaboration.
She ended her speech by calling for patriotism, encouraging both the media and ordinary citizens to concentrate on fostering national unity and practicing responsible journalism.
"Let us pray for our country. We must treat our leaders kindly and speak positively about them. The media ought to report truthfully and contribute to building the nation rather than damaging people's reputations," she said additionally.
Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. Syndigate.info ).
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