Interim National Government

12 June 1993 presidential election was won by Moshood Abiola. General Babangida annulled the election.[1] This led to rioting, particularly in the south, which was harshly suppressed. Babangida announced that he would step down on 26 August 1993, and handed over to Ernest Shonekan as head of the Interim National Government (ING) on 27 August 1993.[2] Shoenkan had a degree in law, had studied at the Harvard Business School in the US, and had held senior management positions in various companies. He was an Oloye of the Yoruba people and had been president of Babangida's Transitional Council.[3] He was an unelected technocrat chosen in a deal between Babangida and political leaders, and his appointment was poorly received by the press and the public.[4]

Shonekan appointed Moshood Abiola as his vice-president.[3] General Sani Abacha was made secretary of defence in the cabinet.[1] Under the ING the country suffered runaway inflation and saw strikes by workers in various sectors. Most foreign investors withdrew apart from oil companies. Shonekan made efforts to have government debt forgiven. He drew up a timetable for return to democracy and for withdrawal of Nigeria's contingent from the ECOMOG preackeeping force in Liberia. He also launched an audit of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, the largest oil company, and tried to restore civil liberties.[5] Shonekan managed to remove laws that allowed arbitrary arrest and confiscation of property, promoted press freedom, obtained the release of some political prisoners and made reforms to the corrupt public services and state-owned companies.[6]

No clear process was given for holding fresh elections, and there was general political uncertainty under the Shonekan government.[7] The ING faced media campaigns against the delay in returning to democracy and the continued involvement of the military in politics. The government was opposed by pro-democracy activists, civil society organisations, labour unions and students. The Lagos high court nullified Shonekan's appointment and called for Abiola to be sworn in as the elected candidate for the presidency.[8] General Sani Abacha forced Shonekan to resign on 17 November 1993, and as the most senior military officer took over as head of state.[1]

The ministers initially announced were:[3]

The final list of members was:[9]