The House of Representatives has called on the Federal Government to deploy urgent diplomatic measures to secure the safe return of former President Goodluck Jonathan, who remains trapped in Guinea-Bissau following a military coup in the country.
Jonathan, a member of the West African Elders Forum, was in Guinea-Bissau as part of a joint observer mission of the African Union (AU), the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), and the Elders Forum. The delegation had travelled to monitor the presidential election conducted over the weekend.
Presidency sources confirmed that efforts are ongoing to facilitate Jonathan’s return, along with other Nigerians currently stranded in the country.
Lawmakers made the call during Thursday’s plenary session, one day after military officers seized power, suspended the electoral process, and shut the nation’s borders.
On Wednesday, Brigadier General Denis N’Canha, head of the presidential military office, announced that a unified command of the armed forces had taken control of the government “until further notice.” He delivered the statement at military headquarters, flanked by armed soldiers.
Incumbent President Umaro Sissoco Embaló—considered the frontrunner in Sunday’s election—was reported to be held inside a building near the military command center at the time of the takeover. He later stated that he had been arrested inside the presidential palace. Several senior officials, including the chief of staff General Biague Na Ntan, deputy chief of staff General Mamadou Traoré, and Interior Minister Botche Candé, were also detained.
ECOWAS, the AU, and the Nigerian government condemned the coup in separate statements, describing it as unacceptable. The observer missions expressed deep concern, noting that the coup announcement came shortly after meeting with the two leading presidential candidates, both of whom had pledged to respect the election results.
They called for the immediate restoration of constitutional order and the release of all detainees.
