Chief Ernest Adegunle Oladeinde Shonekan, Nigeria’s former Head of State who ruled the country for only 83 days is dead.
He ruled for the short stint between the 26th of August, 1993 and the 17th of November, 1993.
Shonekan initially assumed concurrently, the positions of head of the transitional council and head of government under General Ibrahim Babangida on the 2nd of January, 1993.
At that time, the transitional council was envisioned as the final phase before a scheduled handover to a democratically elected leader of the 3rd Nigerian Republic.
On assumption of office, Ernest Shonekan was shocked by the country’s dire financial situation and found himself completely incapable of proffering a workable solution.
The government was plagued by massive International debt obligations, a situation that left him with no choice than to undertake constant debt rescheduling negotiations.
General Ibrahim Babangida resigned from office in August 1993 following the annulment of the June 12 elections.
Before his exit, he issued a proclamation establishing the Interim National Government which was led by Shonekan, who was later sworn in as head of state.
On the 17th of November 1993, Shonekan was compelled to resign by his Minister of Defence, Sani Abacha.
In a nationwide broadcast, Abacha cited socio-political uncertainties under the Interim National Government as reason for his resignation.
Shonekan died in Lagos at the age of 85. He is said to have passed away at the Evercare Hospital, in the Lekki area of Lagos State.
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