Former head of the Interim National Government (ING) that succeeded the military junta of General Ibrahim Babangida when he stepped aside in 1993, Chief Ernest Shonekan, is dead.
Shonekan, a boardroom guru before his selection to head the Interim National Government, died in Lagos. He passed away at the age of 85.
Shonekan was the Chairman of the Interim National Government between August 26 and November 17 1993 when he was ousted in a palace coup led by late General Sani Abacha who was then Secretary of Defence to the ING.
In a statement on Tuesday signed by Adeboye Shonekan, the family confirmed the demise of their patriarch, adding that further details would be released.
The statement was titled, ‘Chief (Dr) Ernest Adegunle Oladeinde Shonekan, GCFR, CBE’.
It read, “To the glory of the Almighty, the Shonekan family announces the passing of our patriarch, loving husband to Margaret, dutiful father to us all and former Head of State, Chief Ernest, Adegunle, Oladeinde Shonekan, GCFR, CBE, the Baba Sale of Egbaland.
“He passed this morning of natural causes at the age of 85.
“The family will release further details in due course.”