FG debt of N45bn owed to Aare MKO: urgent need for restitution, by Kola Amzat 

Since 70’s, precisely during the military era of assassinated General Ramat Murtala Muhammed, Federal government has reportedly been owing late Aare Moshood Kashimawo Olawale ABIOLA, the winner of annulled 1993 presidential election, a whopping sum of ₦45 billion.

The beauty of this development: It has never been denied or controverted, that the debt obligation is there! It’s just that the leaders of successive military governments after Murtala Mohammed administration, opined that, they were fully in charge of the country and that they could do anything, right or wrong with impunity!

Very sadly, the debt obligation does not resonates in the public domain, at least, for men of goodwill and other well-spirited Nigerians to demand for justice for the family of the highly cerebral, ebullient, iconic, illustrious, very urbane and legendary Entrepreneur.

It’s not also impossible that the MKO adversaries and other hatchet men, might have harbored in their consciousness that, the chapter of Federal Government payment of the debt obligation has been formally close.

But, see how nature works in wonder and mysterious way! The clamor for the payment of the huge sum recently came from very unusual quarter.

During the unveiling of Autobiography of Sule Lamido a couple of days

ago in Abuja, the former Jigawa governor seized the platform to remind the federal government of their debt obligation to MKO business dynasty and the imperative of discharging the obligation as soon as possible.

The pertinent question here: Why have the federal government refused to pay MKO, his legitimate sum? It was reported that, the then top military brass felt that the debt obligation is huge enough to send the country to bankruptcy, if paid.

The climax of the ugly development: MKO won 1993 presidential election and military junta headed by Ibrahim Babangida in their myopic and wicked reasoning resolved to annul the election, justifying their stand that, MKO would surely effect the payment of the debt onto

himself, if he allowed to assume the power & authority, as President, Commander-in-Chief, of the Armed Forces. In this crucial matter, if there is anyone that supposed to display equanimity and patriotism, he is Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, who indeed assumed power & authority after Murtala Muhammed. Instructively, he is MKO kinsman, with the duo, of Egba descent.

If the payment is impossible for the Owu High Chief to be effected between February 1976 when he took over leadership of the country and October, 1979, when he handed over to civilian government s imply because he couldn’t convince his military top brass that foisted him on the nation, 1999 to 2007, a full eight years when he was dominantly in

charge of the country as civilian president, presented another opportunity to finally draw the curtains on the payment of the debt. But, Obasanjo won’t do that! He’s overwhelmed by envy, jealousy and hatred for a man who is already in the grave.

It was reported that in their days at Abeokuta Boys’ High School, MKO, as a very small boy displayed uncanny and unusual academic brilliance, a trait that elevated and propelled him to be the star boy in the entire length & breadth of the school, and even, the ancient town of Abeokuta.

Then, Obasanjo and company, even though, they were class mates, were at his beckon and call. The situation remained like that until they graduated from the school.

The former president never like his role as second fiddle. He never forgive MKO, and decades after, despite the fact they’re both massive and tremendous success in their chosen fields, he was still bitter and always prepared to take his pound of flesh.

Till date, the army general has never left anyone in doubt that, he is not prepared for truce with the late business mogul.

Indeed, it was Obasanjo infamous statement-“That MKO was not the Messiah Nigeria needed” that sounded the final death knell on Abiola quest to reclaim his annulled mandate.

Meanwhile, the immediate past president, Muhammud Buhari might have signaled a rapprochement to the payment of ₦45 billion owed to Basorun MKO.

In the twilight of his 8 years reign as democratically elected Nigerian president, Buhari posthumously restored back the mandate of Abiola.

He went further by conferring the highest honour of the land, exclusively meant for the President-Grand Commander of the Federal Republic (GCFR) on the MKO Abiola. Buhari did exceedingly well!

It’s now the turn of our dear president, quick-witted, very discerning, quintessential, inimitable, strategist of highest class and legendary politician, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu to complete the cycle of RESTITUTION for Aare MKO by effecting the debt payment of ₦45 billion due unto him.

This writer is of deep conviction that with Tinubu at the helm of affairs, curtains would soon be drawn on this sheer wickedness unto MKO, that could better referred to as TRAVESTY OF JUSTICE.

At least records are there for our dear president as reference point; and records do not lie.Aare Moshood Olawale ABIOLA deserved everything th at Nigeria could offer! He was an illustrious and iconic Nigerian, one of the best brains this country had ever produced.

A serial award winning Chartered Accountant, some of us ventured into been Chartered Accountants, using MKO as a model.MKO was a first class Entrepreneur, with incredible dominance in all Nigerian sectors of economy. His Newspapers and Magazine in his stable-the National Concord, Sunday Concord, Business Concord and African Concord and even, publications in Hausa and Igbo languages were the best and always favorites for the Nigerian and African readers.

MKO was the founder of Wonder loaf Bread, Concord Airlines, Summit Oil, as well as the celebrated International Telephone Communications (ITT). He was into agricultures, amongst other entrepreneurial initiatives. Aare MKO achieved all, before he ventured into politics. Bashorun

Abiola brought colour, glamour, panache and new dimension to political landscape. After several attempts in its quest at presidency, fortunes smiled o him when he was elected as presidential candidate of SDP at 1993 Jos convention, and he eventually won the presidential elections, which was thereafter annulled by IBB led military government.

MKO was a philanthropist per excellence, and one of the highest salary payers to Nigerian employees. For decades and till he breathed his last, Abiola was the Pillar of sports

in Nigeria and in Sub-Saharan African. A global personality of repute, MKO was different things to different people. He was generous to a fault and was a detribalized Nigerian, a quality that attracted him to millions of Nigerians across the country during the 1993 presidential election.

The essence of the above submissions: During his life time, MKO was iindeed a dominant force in business, economy, socio-political, sporting sphere, and even, religious matters.

Abiola had positive influence on all Nigerians that were privileged to cross his path during his life time. Above all, the business mogul was one of Nigerian past presidents.

How come the nation bluntly refused to be appreciative of life of patriotism that MKO lived? How come the unappreciative nation continually treat his case with so much levity and contempt? How come we have resolved not to appreciative our hero?

I’m of deep conviction that my president, my mentor, and the thoughtful father of the nation, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu would bring this matter to a final close, by not only effecting the payment of ₦45 billion owed by federal government to MKO, but also pay the associated nterest that might have accrued on the sum over the last 45 years.

This is the right thing to do! This is what would spur generations yet unborn, that it pays to serve the nation dutifully and diligently.

Kola AMZAT (FCA, FCIB)

Lagos based Financial & Management Consultants,

09077509348.