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Shonekan: Nigeria’s Leader Overthrown Without Resistance

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Abbas Yushau Yusuf

With the announcement of the death of the first and only Nigeria’s interim leader ,Chief Ernest Shonekan on 11 January 2022 at a Lagos Hospital after a brief illness ,a cross section of Nigerians may not be aware of the peaceful life lived by the Late Chief Ernest Shonekan.

Shonekan will go down memory lane as the first and only interim civilian leader Nigeria had since independence considering the circumstances which he emerge Nigerias leader.

When General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida annulled the June 12 1993 Presidential election won by Late Chief MKO Abiola , General Babangida had no option than to handover power ,the first reason was that since 1990 General Babangida has been shifting goal post ,so when finally Abiola’s election was cancelled by him Nigeria was thrown into serious political turmoil.The political elites were seriously divided and there was crack in the military,there are some military officers that have the notion of maintaining General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida as the commander in chief beyond August 26 1993, the day set for handing over to civilians,while others nursed the idea of violently toppling General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida and install Chief MKO Abiola as the President and commander in chief.

Breaking:Former Head Of Interim Govt Chief Ernest Shonekan Is Dead

Since the handover is going to take place on the appointed date and Abiola’s election was annulled, Babangida has no option than to voluntarily handover the reins of government since extension of his tenure will be illegal.

With the seeming crisis General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida settled for the chairman of Nigerias Transition committee Chief Ernest Shonekan.

To appease south west whose son won the election in a landslide, Shonekan like Chief MKO Abiola is from the South West and Ogun state, therefore handing over to him is the natural thing to do.

On the D-Day , August 26 1993 ,General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida in his white robe at the council chambers of the Aso Rock Presidential Villa handed over power to Shonekan in a low key event and went straight to Minna the capital city of Niger state and his home town.

But when Babangida was leaving , Shonekan’s hand was tied as all the members of the interim Government was appointed Babangida including ministers ,and from day one Shonekan started with the crisis of loyalty.

The Secretary of Defence General Sani Abacha was the first military officer to become a full general like the sitting President General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida,so in the ensuing political scenario General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida while handing over to Shonekan retired with Military officers who are Junior in Rank to General Sani Abacha and left General Sani Abacha to secure the interim Government.

So when Late Chief Ernest Shonekan settled for another transition to civil rule,issues that seems to render him incompetent in the eyes of Nigerians appeared like fuel Scarcity,Tanker drivers strike and increment in fuel price.

Another blow to Late Chief Ernest Shonekan’s government was the hijack of Nigerian airways plane and taken to Niger Republic,after that a Lagos high court declared his government illegal.

The Late business tycoon also battled with disloyalty among his cabinet as some ministers are not standing to honour him when he enter the council chamber to preside over meetings.

People like Chief MKO Abiola who won the June 12 election and members of NADECO started to agitate for military take over.

The political atmosphere become hazy and on the night of 17 November ,83 days after the assumption of Late Chief Ernest Shonekan as Head of interim National government,the secretary of Defense General Sani Abacha accompanied by Lt.Gen. Aliyu Muhammad Gusau,Lt.Gen Oladipo Diya and others stormed the presidential villa in Abuja.

They condoned the seat of power with battle ready armoured tanks,they were welcomed by Chief Ernest Shonekan to the President’s office,they sat together with Late Chief Shonekan, they reviewed the country’s political situation from the day Shonekan was appointed Head of state and to the day they entered his office.

General Sani Abacha and his colleagues demanded that the Head of the interim National government Chief Ernest Shonekan should resign .

Without hesitation chief Shonekan resigned as Head of the interim National government on November 17 1993 and General Sani Abacha and his fellow coupist offer to take Shonekan to his home town by air which he refused.

Late Chief Ernest Shonekan left for Abeokuta by road on that night and retired to his home peacefully without resisting the offer of resignation by the military led by General Sani Abacha.

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Breaking: Tinubu Orders Release of Minors Arrested Over Endbadgovernance Protest

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President Bola Ahmad Tinubu

President Tinubu Orders release of all minors who participated in the Endbadgovernance protest .

 

The minister of information and national orientation Muhammad Idris stated this to state House correspondents.

Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, disclosed this while briefing State House correspondents, on Monday.

The Minister was flanked by the Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy; Sunday Dare, Special Adviser on Public Communications and orientation.

Idris stated that the President has instructed the Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, to begin the process of securing the minors’ release without delay.

“The President has directed that all minors be released on the and also reunited with their families anywhere they are in the country. A committee has been set up to look at the issues surrounding their arrest, detention and release. All the law enforcement agents related to the case will be investigated and anyone found wanting will be brought to book,” he said.

 

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76 Detained Children: Northwest Youth-Students Forum hails Senator Barau, AGF’s prompt intervention

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The Northwest Youth and Students Forum (NWYSF) has expressed its heartfelt appreciation to the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau I. Jibrin and the Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, for their prompt intervention in the detention of minors by the Nigeria Police Force, following the End Bad Governance Protest.

The forum in a statement signed by its National Chairman, Abubakar Isyaku Balan said the swift action by the leaders will brings hope to the affected families and demonstrates a commitment to protecting the rights of vulnerable citizens nationwide.

He said “The giant move of the Deputy President of the Senate and the Attorney General of the Federal is no doubt a commendable one. We are proud of this and look forward to the release of the children courtesy of this movement.”

According to the statement, the NWYSF, as a forum comprising of talented youth and students, deemed it necessary to protectively initiate awareness programs that will enlighten the teeming youth on human rights and activism.

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“We acknowledge that the minors actions were driven by ignorance and a lack of proper orientation, underscoring the need for civic education and sensitization in the Northwest region. Addressing the underlying issues that led to this situation is crucial, rather than simply punishing the minors. This approach will foster a more informed and empowered youth.

“Considering the economic situation in the North, we urge the Federal Government to show compassion and release the detained minors, taking into account their age and circumstances. We also call on the government to provide support for their rehabilitation and education.

“In partnership with government agencies, non-governmental organizations, and community leaders, NWYSF will develop sensitization initiatives focusing on empowering youths with knowledge of their rights and responsibilities, promoting understanding and respect for human rights and teaching alternative dispute resolution methods.

“In view of the above, by working together, we can prevent similar incidents and foster a more informed, peaceful, and inclusive society,” the statement added.

 

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ICPC Arraigns Provost, Lecturer for Certificate Forgery in Sokoto

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Dr Musa Adamu Aliyu ,ICPC Chairman

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has arraigned Hauwau Gimbiya Mukhtar Abdulkarim, the serving Provost of the Federal College of Education (Technical) (FCET), Gusau, alongside Abdullahi Boyi, a lecturer with the Sokoto State College of Education (SSCE), on alleged certificate forgery.

The duo were arraigned on a six-count charge, registered as charge No. SS/213c/2024, before Hon. Justice Muhammad Aliyu Sambo at the Sokoto State High Court. ICPC accused the two defendants of forging an appointment letter and using it to apply for the position of Provost at the Federal College of Education (Technical) Gusau, Zamfara State.

The defendants were also accused of making false statements to ICPC officers during the investigation, which is an offence under Section 25(1)(a) and punishable under Section 25(ii)(b) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000. “Both defendants, however, pleaded ‘not guilty’ to all six charges when read to them by the Court’s Registrar,” the ICPC revealed in a statement.

Counsel for the defendants, Dr. Muhammad Mansur Aliyu and Mr. M.S. Diri SAN, moved for bail applications on behalf of their clients. They requested the court to consider reasonable bail terms, citing the defendants’ “established positions and cooperation during the investigation.”

Counsel to the ICPC, Mr. Suleiman Ahmad, did not oppose the bail applications. Following the consideration of the applications, Hon. Justice Sambo granted bail under specific conditions designed to ensure the defendants’ continued presence throughout the trial proceedings.

The bail conditions require each defendant to provide two sureties who are permanent residents of Sokoto State, with each surety signing a bond of one million naira (₦1,000,000). After granting bail, the ICPC prosecutor requested a date for the trial to commence, emphasizing the Commission’s preparedness to present witnesses and evidence in support of the charges.

Hon. Justice Sambo adjourned the matter to November 21, 2024, when the hearing is set to begin. The prosecution is expected to call witnesses and introduce material evidence to substantiate the allegations.

The ICPC press release was signed by Demola Bakare, Acting Director of Public Enlightenment and Education, and Spokesperson for the Commission.

 

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