By Olusegun Olanrewaju and Ben Ogbemudia
A former head of interim Head of State, Chief Ernest Shonekan, yesterday died of “natural causes”, his family has said.

Adeboye Shonekan disclosed this in a statement on behalf of the family.

The late Nigerian leader was 85. The family said they would release further details in due course.

The Ogun-born statesman was the head of the interim government that led Nigeria between the military governments of Ibrahim Babangida and Sani Abacha.

Already, condolences have been pouring in for late Shonekan, who was popularly known as the Baba Sale of Egbaland.

Among Nigerians mourning the late leader are President Muhammed Buhari, former military president, Ibrahim Babangida, former President Goodluck Jonathan, former senate president, David Mark, National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi, Governor Nyesom Wike (Rivers) and his counterpart from Kogi, Yahaya Bello.

Buhari described the late leader as an internationally respected statesman with courageous wisdom.

He said Shonekan left his “flourishing business career to become the Head of Government, at a delicate time when the country needed someone of his calm mien and pedigree to save the ship of state from sinking.”

In his condolence message, former President Jonathan said Shonekan was a peacemaker and bridge-builder who left enduring legacies.

“As a leader, Chief Shonekan was well respected because of the enormous goodwill he brought into governance.

“He was a compassionate and determined administrator, a peacemaker and bridge-builder who stepped in to lead the nation at a very difficult time in the history of its political evolution.”

Also, Tinubu commiserated with Governor Dapo Abiodun, Mrs Margret Shonekan, and the people of Ogun State over the passing of former Head of the Interim National Government, Chief Ernest Shonekan.

In a condolence message by his Media Office issued by Mr. Tunde Rahman, Asiwaju Tinubu said: “I received, with great sadness, the news of the passing of the former Head of the Interim National Government, Chief Shonekan, at the advanced age of 85. I join his immediate family in mourning his passing, but also in celebrating his lifelong contributions to our great nation.

“With his passing, the country has lost another important elder statesman; a man of peace who tried to bring unity and concord during one of the nation’s most trying moments.

Similarly, Mark described late Shonekan, as a patriot and gentleman who gave his all for the sake of Nigeria.

He recalled that Shonekan was appointed Head of the government during the critical period of national challenges to pilot the affairs of the nation.

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Mark noted that Shonekan brought finesse, humane and due process to bear during his short-lived tenure as Interim Head of State for the smooth administration of the country.

Former military president, Babangida in a personal statement yesterday said Shonekan was one of Nigeria’s finest brains and patriots.

“I hadn’t the faintest idea that Chief Ernest Shonekan would depart this sinful world so soon, even at 85. He was a man, a leader, and an uncommon patriot who had a presence of mind and whose understanding of Nigeria was profound and remarkable. It is indeed a personal loss to me.”

Rivers State Governor Wike said he received the news of the sudden demise of Shonekan, who headed the Interim National Government that succeeded former military Head of State, General Ibrahim Babangida, with shock and great sorrow.

Wike described Shonekan as a dedicated Nigerian, who was committed to the peace and stability of the country.

The governor noted that Chief Shonekan’s strong credentials as an astute administrator enabled him to steadfastly steer the country through one of its most turbulent times.

In the same vein, Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello expressed shock over the death of former Shonekan.

Bello described late Shonekan as a fantastic lawyer, political colossus, and complete statesman, saying, he would be sorely missed.

The governor said the late Interim Head of State had contributed immensely to the unity, progress, and political developments of the country noting that his release of political prisoners detained by the military government within three months in office united the country more along ethnic and political lines.

He described Shonekan as a strong leader who had always spoken truth to power and was passionate about national interest.

Also, Ekiti State Governor Fayemi said Shonekan’s death was a great loss to Nigeria and its people at a critical period of the nation’s history.

The Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) said the late Shonekan’s demise has robbed Nigeria of a great statesman, selfless leader, celebrated boardroom guru, and a bridge-builder whose interest was peace, stability, and development of his fatherland.