Former Nigerian President Shehu Shagari dies aged 93

AP | Shehu Shagari, Nigeria’s second president, whose tenure was sandwiched between 2 military rulers in an era rocked by coups, has died. He was 93.

Current President Muhammadu Buhari, who unseated Shagari 35 years ago, says he mourns “the departure of a patriot, who served Nigeria with humility, integrity and diligence.”

Shagari had an ambivalent relationship with the military, which initially favored his ascension to power but held him in solitary confinement for 3 years after toppling his administration.

Shagari beat regional political veterans in a hotly contested election in 1979. The polls followed 13 years of military rule by 4 different men.

On New Year’s Eve 1983, a group of military plotters toppled his government, describing Shagari’s administration as “inept and corrupt” in a radio announcement.