Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, November 18, 1993 TAG: 9311180016
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: A-16 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: LAGOS, NIGERIA LENGTH: Short
Gen. Sani Abacha, the defense minister and the man considered to be the real power behind the government, forced out the titular head of state, Ernest Shonekan, a former corporate executive.
The nation of 90 million people heard the news on state-run radio, which said only that Shonekan had resigned and that Abacha was in charge.
A Western diplomat, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Shonekan's ouster resulted from a meeting of military leaders last week about the political turmoil gripping the country. The diplomat said the military leaders decided they needed to step in and take control.
The recent turmoil began after the previous ruler, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida, voided June presidential elections that were to end a decade of military rule, resigned under pressure in August and named Shonekan, his ally, as his successor.
Abacha was widely believed to have forced out Babangida, leading to widespread dissension in the military that may have forced Abacha to seize open control of the government and assume the mantle of head of state.
by CNB