Nigeria's government-run media announced Chief Abiola's death with a simple statement which said he had died of a heart attack after being taken ill.

"Chief Moshood Abiola is dead," Nigerian radio said in an announcement at 2000 gmt on Tuesday. "Chief Abiola, who has been in detention for four years, died suddenly at about 4 pm local time, apparently of cardiac arrest," the radio said, quoting a government statement.

Nigerian TV in its late news bulletin on Tuesday night broadcast a profile of Chief Abiola, praising him as "a true philanthropist."

The TV, which was showing the Brazil-Holland World Cup match live at its normal newscast time of 2000 gmt, stayed with the football match and went on air at 2200 gmt after the end of the match.

The government statement on Chief Abiola's death was reported as the first item, after which the TV carried a brief profile, before continuing with news of the UN Secretary General's condolences and other reports.

British press

Chief Abiola's death made headlines around the world. In Britain, the Daily Telegraph said in an editorial that his death had deprived Nigeria of the man best placed to lead the country into civilian rule, while The Times described Chief Abiola as a wealthy man who came to be seen as a champion of democracy.

But The Independent said in its report that Chief Abiola's reputation was not spotless, noting that he had close links with the military leadership.

According to The Guardian, the timing of Chief Abiola's death is likely to elevate him to the status of a martyr among some Nigerians that he could not have hoped for had he lived.

United States

In the United States, the Washington Post described Chief Abiola's death as another setback for Nigeria, just as it seemed "on the verge of a possible transition" to better times.

In an editorial, the Post said the consequences of his death were unpredictable, but the proper response from Nigerian leader Gen Abubakar was to free all remaining political prisoners and allow an early and fair election.

The New York Times said in a report that the government, which is dominated by Hausa officers from Northern Nigeria, now faced the possibility of tribal tensions. The paper recalled that diplomats had in recent weeks expressed fears that violence may be just beneath the surface.

Europe

In Europe, Madrid's El Pais said Chief Abiola was "a symbol of democracy." The Irish Times in Dublin reported suspicions of foul play in connection with the death in a story headlined "Nigerian transition at risk after Abiola dies".