President Buhari Mourns Chief Ernest Shonekan Who Dies At 85
Touchaheart Nigeria reports that General Ibrahim Babangida’s junta was superseded by an interim national government led by Chief Ernest Shonekan.
Shonekan died at the age of 85 in a hospital in the Lekki district of Lagos state.
Between August 26 until November 17, 1993, he served as the interim president of Nigeria before being deposed in a coup orchestrated by General Sani Abacha.
May his spirit find eternal rest.
Flag at half mast as President Buhari mourns Shonekan
The President expressed deep regret over the death of the former Nigerian leader in a condolence statement published by his media adviser, Femi Adesina, on Tuesday.
Buhari claimed that Shonekan quit a successful business career to become President when the country needed someone to preserve it from “sinking.”
According to the president, until his death, Shonekan displayed his love for the country and commitment to its growth, peace, and togetherness.
As a result, he consoled Mrs. Margaret Shonekan, the former leader’s wife, and the deceased’s family, saying that his contribution to the country will never be forgotten.
The statement reads:
“President Muhammadu Buhari has received with profound sadness the news of the death of a great statesman and former Head of the Interim National Government, Chief Ernest Shonekan.
“On behalf of the Federal Government, the President extends deepest condolences to Chief Shonekan’s wife, Margaret, loved ones, as well as the government and people of Ogun State.
“As an internationally-respected statesman, President Buhari affirms that, with courageous wisdom, Chief Shonekan left his flourishing business career to become the Head of Government, at a delicate time when the country needed someone of his calm mien and pedigree to save the ship of state from sinking.
“The President notes that Chief Shonekan demonstrated to all that the love for country and commitment to her development, peace and unity transcend the trappings of office and the transient nature of political power.
“President Buhari believes that Nigeria owes a great debt to Chief Shonekan, the peacemaker, who even at the twilight of his life never stopped believing and working for a prosperous and democratic country.”
