President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed profound sadness over the news of the death of former Head of the Interim National Government, Chief Ernest Shonekan.

Shonekan died on Tuesday in Lagos at the age of 85.

The president, in a statement issued by his spokesman, Femi Adesina, extended his deepest condolences to Chief Shonekan’s wife, Margaret, loved ones, as well as the government and people of Ogun State.

“As an internationally-respected statesman, President Buhari affirms that, with courageous wisdom, Chief 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,” he said.

The President noted that Shonekan demonstrated to all that the love for country and commitment to her development, peace and unity transcended the trappings of office and the transient nature of political power.

Buhari believed that Nigeria owed a great debt to Shonekan, the peacemaker, who even at the twilight of his life time never stopped believing and working for a prosperous and democratic country.

The President prayed that the memory of the departed Head of Government would remain a blessing to Nigeria even as he found perfect peace with Almighty God.