by freezing aid and withdrawing military assistance. IBB eventually bowed to pressure from his inner circle and resigned from office on 23 August 1993. Ernest Shonekan, a Yoruba businessman and the head of IBB's transition team, assumed the office of the presidency as the head of the interim national government. Shonekan was unable to manage the political turmoil which ensued in the post IBB months. Shonekan's caretaker government was quietly removed from office by Minister of Defence, General Sani Abacha on 17 November 1993. On 11 June 1994, president-elect Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola declared himself president and went into hiding. The Abacha administration hunted Abiola down and arrested him on charges of treason. Abiola remained in prison until he died in 1998. See also Nigerian First Republic (1963–1966) Nigerian Second Republic (1979–1983) Nigerian Fourth Republic (1999–present) References Further reading Nigeria – US State Department Profile The History of Nigeria Media Accountability and Democracy in Nigeria History of Nigeria 1993 in Nigeria Republic of Nigeria 03 Politics of Nigeria 1990s in Nigeria