Chief Martin Onovo, the 2015 presidential candidate of the National Conscience Party (NCP), has raised serious concerns over the Federal Government’s recent claim that it owes the late Chief Moshood Kashimawo Abiola the sum of N45 billion for contracts allegedly executed by International Telephone and Telegraph Corporation (ITT).
Onovo, currently Head of Policy Positions for the Movement for Fundamental Change (MFC), expressed doubts about the legitimacy of the claim, describing it as suspicious and potentially fraudulent.
“Chief Abiola died over 30 years ago. This may be a corrupt move to divert some funds, considering that the purported beneficiary has long passed away,” he said.
He criticized the Tinubu administration for lacking credibility and public trust, adding, “Can we believe a corrupt regime that lacks credibility?”
Onovo also insisted that any claims of debt repayment must be subjected to rigorous verification.
He said: “We must know the nature of the contracts, review the original agreements, confirm contract pricing, ascertain completion status, and verify all previous payments. Only then can we determine if such a debt truly exists.”
He warned that without transparency, the payment could become another scandal.
His words: “We must confirm the account details to which the alleged debt would be paid, including the signatories. This process must be subjected to the highest levels of scrutiny.”
The controversy was triggered from a recent call by former Jigawa State governor Sule Lamido, who urged President Bola Tinubu to pay the N45 billion allegedly owed to the late Chief Abiola.
Lamido made the appeal last Tuesday in Abuja during the public presentation of his autobiography, Being True to Myself.
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