A former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Aminu Bashir Wali, has revealed how the late former Head of State, General Murtala Mohammed died poor.

Wali, 83, a former Nigeria’s Ambassador to the People’s Republic of China, between 2014 and 2015 made this revelation in an interview recently.

Speaking on his close relationship with the late Murtala, Wali said, “Of all the relatives we have, I was the closest person to Murtala. We were closer than my own siblings.

When asked if he was aware that people think he became rich because of his link with Murtala, Wali said, “Well, I don’t know. Murtala was very careful in what he did. He never looked for money; it was not his business.

“When he was head of state, I told him that people were pushing and asking for favours. He asked for what and I said they were talking about oil blocs. People were talking to me about it.

“Yes. He asked if I knew where they came from and I said no. He said I should go and see Gaddafi.

“Yes. He said he would send me to Gaddafi if that was what I wanted and if I was able to succeed in getting any oil, that was my business because nobody would say he was taking Nigeria’s wealth. That’s what transpired between me and Murtala.”

“Unfortunately, no. He died before that,” Wali added.