Maryam Abacha, widow of former military ruler General Sani Abacha, has dismissed decades-long allegations of financial looting, declaring that “Nigerians are fools” for believing unverified claims.
Speaking during an interview with TVC, the former First Lady questioned the evidence behind the global narrative that billions of dollars were looted under her husband’s regime.
With a tone of frustration and disbelief, she challenged both the Nigerian public and the media to reconsider what she described as a baseless national obsession.
“Who witnessed these so-called stashed monies? Where are the signatures or documents proving that billions were looted?” she asked. “It’s all hearsay, but Nigerians have swallowed it whole.”
Mrs. Abacha further claimed that funds her husband allegedly safeguarded for the nation vanished mysteriously after his death in 1998.
“Nobody talks about that. The money he kept for Nigeria disappeared within months. So, who really took it?” She asked pointedly.
Over the past two decades, international reports and asset recoveries linked to the Abacha regime have been widely documented, including billions returned from banks in Switzerland, the UK, and the US.
However, Mrs. Abacha insisted that her husband has been unfairly scapegoated by a nation quick to demonise, slow to question.
“It’s as if Nigerians love a villain and need someone to blame. Maybe it makes them feel better. That’s why they believe anything,” she said.
The former First Lady did not hold back in her criticism of Nigerians, accusing them of harbouring tribal and religious bias.
“Why do we hate each other so much? Is it because he was a northerner? A Muslim? Or is it just our way to always pull each other down?” she asked.
She also aimed at the media, accusing journalists of fuelling the negative perception of her husband.
“Twenty-seven years after, and you’re still talking about Abacha. He must have really been something for you to still be obsessed,” she said with sarcasm.
Responding to claims that Nigeria’s economy experienced stability during Abacha’s rule, with improved foreign reserves and a stronger currency, she argued that such outcomes were inconsistent with the image of a corrupt regime.
“So, where exactly did he steal from?” she asked again. “There was no sign of collapse when he was in power. But people just repeat what they hear.”
“Abacha, Babangida, Abiola… none of them alone made Nigeria. Even the poor man on the street matters. But we must stop this habit of tearing ourselves down over gossip and fiction. Nigeria is too big for one story,” she said.
