Stabilise the economy and ease repression — Ernest Shonekan

Total tracked

Kept

Partial / mixed

Broken

Kept

Partial / mixed

Broken

In progress

Governance

Run a short interim government and organise fresh elections

Broken

The promise

The Interim National Government was installed on 27 August 1993 to bridge the gap left by the annulled 12 June election and organise a credible new poll.

Assessment

No clear process or date for fresh elections was ever set. The ING lasted just 82 days before Defence Secretary Sani Abacha forced Shonekan to resign on 17 November 1993 and took power, ending any transition.

Economy

Stabilise the economy and ease repression

Broken

The promise

Shonekan, a former UAC of Nigeria chairman, pledged economic stabilisation and moved to repeal laws allowing arbitrary arrest and confiscation and to promote press freedom.

Assessment

The economy deteriorated further — runaway inflation, capital flight (foreign investors left except the oil companies), and strikes across sectors. Some repressive laws were targeted for repeal, but the government had too little time and authority to change conditions before it was removed.