Ernest Shonekan, The Man Who Ruled Nigeria For 83 days Has Died

Shonekan initially assumed concurrently the positions of head of the transitional council and head of government under Ibrahim Babangida on 2 January 1993. At the time, the transitional council was envisioned as the final phase before a scheduled handover to a democratically elected leader of the Third Nigerian Republic.

Shonekan became aware of the government’s dire financial situation, which he was powerless to rectify. The government was pressed by international debt obligations and was forced to engage in constant debt rescheduling negotiations.

Babangida resigned from office in August 1993, following the annulment of the 12 June elections. He issued a proclamation establishing the Interim National Government, which was led by Shonekan, who was later sworn in as head of state.

On 17 November 1993, Shonekan was compelled to resign by his Minister of Defense, Sani Abacha. Abacha cited socio-political uncertainty under the Interim National Government as a reason for his resignation in his nationwide broadcast.

Shonekan died in Lagos at the age of 85. He was said to have breathe his last at Evercare hospital, in the Lekki area of Lagos state.