Nigerian leader quits

LAGOS - Nigeria's interim head of state, Ernest Shonekan, resigned yesterday and was replaced by the Defence Minister, Sani Abacha, Reuter reports.

No reason was given for Mr Shonekan's resignation, announced by his press secretary. Nigeria has been in turmoil since the former military president Ibrahim Babangida annulled a presidential election in June widely believed to have been won by the businessman Moshood Abiola.