A former President, Mr Shehu Shagari, is dead.

Shagari, 93, died Friday evening at National Hospital Abuja after a brief illness.

The death of the elder statesman was announced by his grandson, Bello Shagari, via his Twitter handle.

Shagari was elected president in 1979 and led Nigeria between 1979 and 1983 on the platform of defunct National Party of Nigeria (NPN).

He was removed from office via a military coup in December 1983.

The coup plotters eventually named Mr Muhammadu Buhari, then a Major General, as Head of State.

Shagari’s death was also confirmed by governor of his home Sokoto State, Mr Aminu Tambuwal.

PT