The 1993 Nigerian coup d'état was a bloodless militarycoup which took place in Nigeria on 17 November 1993[1] when the Armed Forces, headed by Defence Minister General Sani Abacha, forced Interim President Chief Ernest Shonekan to resign.[2] Shonekan assumed the interim presidency on 26 August 1993, succeeding General Ibrahim Babangida as head of state, in the aftermath of Babangida's annulment of the 12 June 1993 presidential election.[3][4] In a nationwide broadcast following the coup, Abacha cited the stagnant nature of Shonekan's government, and his inability to manage the democratic process in the country as a cause of his resignation. In September 1994, Abacha issued a decree that placed his government above the jurisdiction of the courts, effectively giving him absolute power. Another decree gave him the right to detain anyone for up to three months.[5]
Abacha stayed in power until his death on 8 June 1998 at the presidential complex (Aso Villa) in Abuja.[6][7] He was succeeded by the Chief of the Defence Staff Major General Abdulsalami Abubakar as head of state.
