Dr. Oluranti Afowowe, author of Destiny Anchored on Faith: The Story of Oladipo Diya, has given a gripping account of the tense moments leading to the end of Nigeria’s Interim National Government (ING) in 1993.
Speaking on the Edmund Obilo podcast, Afowowe disclosed how four senior military officers personally confronted the then head of the ING, Chief Ernest Shonekan, and demanded his resignation.
According to Afowowe, Lt. General Oladipo Diya, General Sani Abacha, General Joshua Dogonyaro and General Aliyu Gusau walked into Shonekan’s office with a clear message. “They went to his office and asked him to resign. They asked him to resign and he resigned,” Afowowe recounted.
The ING, formed in August 1993 after the annulment of the June 12 presidential election, was Nigeria’s attempt at a transitional governance structure, however, it struggled to gain legitimacy amidst political unrest and economic instability.
Afowowe’s account highlights the direct and decisive role the military played in ending the short-lived arrangement. The meeting in Shonekan’s office marked the final chapter of his administration, as pressure from the generals left little room for negotiation.
Within hours of Shonekan’s resignation, General Sani Abacha, then Defence Minister, took over as head of state, dissolving the ING and establishing a military government. This marked the beginning of one of Nigeria’s most controversial and authoritarian regimes, which lasted until Abacha’s death in 1998.
Afowowe’s revelation offers a rare behind-the-scenes perspective on a pivotal moment in Nigeria’s political history. It not only underscores the influence wielded by top military leaders at the time but also adds detail to the historical record of how the country transitioned from a civilian-led interim government back to military rule.
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