‘We owe him’ Buhari mourns late Ernest Shonekan

President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed his sorrow over the death of Ernest Shonekan, the Nigerian politician who led the Interim National Government, stated that Nigeria owes him a big debt.

Shonekan, the Nigerian government’s interim leader from August 26, 1993 to November 17, 1993, died on Tuesday in a Lagos hospital.

In a statement, President Buhari’s spokesman, Femi Adesina, said he was deeply saddened by the news.

Shonekan’s wife, Margaret, as well as the government and people of Ogun State, received his condolences.

“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,” the statement read.

“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.

“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 prays that the memory of the departed Head of Government will remain a blessing to Nigeria even as he finds perfect peace with Almighty God.”

Rtn. Victor Ojelabi

Ojelabi, the publisher of Freelanews, is an award winning and professionally trained mass communicator, who writes ruthlessly about pop culture, religion, politics and entertainment.