Jonathan Returns Home, Says No Coup in Guinea Bissau

…demands release of opposition leader, election results

Former President Dr. Goodluck Jonathan has returned to Nigeria after being briefly stranded in Guinea Bissau during an assignment with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), following reports of an attempted coup in the West African nation.

Speaking to journalists on his arrival, Jonathan expressed gratitude to Nigerians for their concern and assured the public that he and his delegation were safe.

He thanked President Bola Tinubu and Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara for their swift intervention, noting that both leaders had made arrangements to deploy aircraft for his evacuation.

According to him, Côte d’Ivoire was able to secure landing clearance faster due to its proximity and stronger diplomatic influence in francophone West Africa. “We thank the two Presidents, and indeed we thank Nigerians for their concern,” he said.

Jonathan dismissed the reports of a military takeover, describing the incident as unusual and “not a coup” in the classical sense. He said the circumstances surrounding the announcement raised suspicions, especially as the sitting president was the one who first declared that a coup had occurred. “It was strange. The president himself was calling media houses, announcing he had been arrested. That is not how coups happen. The military does not take over power and allow the president to address the world freely,” he stated.

Reflecting on Guinea Bissau’s troubled political history, Jonathan expressed worry that the country seemed to be regressing into “the dark days” when the military routinely interfered in governance. He recalled his own involvement as Nigerian president in mediating the country’s 2012 crisis, noting that West African leaders had worked hard to restore democracy by 2014. “Things were so bad then that a soldier once walked into the Prime Minister’s office and slapped him. What is happening now is unacceptable,” he said.

Jonathan insisted that the recent elections in Guinea Bissau had been peaceful, transparent, and properly monitored. As a member of the West African Elders Forum, he said he observed the process closely and received reports from various monitoring groups. “Nobody expected anything different. Counting was peaceful, results were being collated from all nine regions, and the election was almost concluded when suddenly the president announced a coup,” he stated.

He challenged ECOWAS and the African Union (AU) to announce the authentic results of the election, insisting that both bodies had full access to the regional tallies. “They owe the world that responsibility. Even if the military refuses to step down, let the world know who won. The results cannot be changed,” he said.

Commenting on Guinea Bissau’s suspension from ECOWAS, Jonathan said the decision followed established protocol for countries where the military interrupts constitutional order. He stressed the need for West African nations to uphold democracy, even if only a few remained committed at any given time. “If only five countries in ECOWAS continue with democracy, so be it. We must not normalize military dictatorship,” he cautioned.

Jonathan also questioned how a retired senior military officer, who now serves as president of Guinea Bissau, could be overthrown so easily, noting that such a leader would typically maintain strong loyalty within the armed forces. He argued that the political class and citizens who participated peacefully in the elections would not accept any attempt to invalidate the results. “People queued to vote. You cannot announce results one day and have soldiers scuttle the entire process the next,” he said.

The former Nigerian leader condemned the arrest of opposition leader Fernando, describing it as baseless and politically motivated. He urged the international community to pressure the military authorities to release him immediately. “Fernando has committed no offense. He has not even declared himself winner. There is no justification for his arrest,” Jonathan stressed.

He warned Guinea Bissau’s military rulers against returning the country to instability, reminding them of Nigeria’s efforts in supporting peace in the past. “It is shameful and painful to see the military taking over again. This should not happen,” he said.

Jonathan concluded by reiterating his call for the official election results to be made public. “Let the world know who won the election. The military took over from a man who was already leaving office. Announcing the true winner is better than pretending there was a coup,” he said.

 

Report by Dayo Emmanuel