The House of Representatives has asked the Federal Government to deploy full diplomatic pressure to secure the safe return of former President Goodluck Jonathan, who has been trapped in Guinea-Bissau following Wednesday’s military coup in the West African country.
Jonathan, a member of the West African Elders Forum (WAEF), was in the country as part of a joint observer mission of the African Union (AU), ECOWAS and WAEF to monitor last weekend’s presidential election.
He was reportedly caught up in the chaos when soldiers seized power, suspended the electoral process and shut the nation’s borders.
During Thursday’s plenary, the lawmakers expressed concern over Jonathan’s safety and that of other Nigerians currently stranded in the coup-hit nation.
They urged President Bola Tinubu, who is also ECOWAS Chairman, to activate all diplomatic channels to ensure their protection and evacuation.
The call followed reports from diplomatic sources confirming that Nigerian authorities were already in contact with regional partners to facilitate Jonathan’s safe return.
The coup, announced on Wednesday afternoon, was led by Brigadier General Denis N’Canha, head of the military office of the presidency. Flanked by armed soldiers, N’Canha declared that a command comprising all branches of the armed forces had taken over the leadership of the country “until further notice.”
The military detained incumbent President Umaro Sissoco Embalo, the Chief of Defence Staff General Biague Na Ntan, Deputy Chief of Staff General Mamadou Traore and Interior Minister Botche Cande. Embalo later said he was arrested inside the presidential palace as the uprising unfolded.
The takeover came just three days after the country held legislative and presidential elections, for which international observers were expecting official results before the military struck.
ECOWAS, the AU and the Nigerian government have jointly condemned the coup, describing it as “unacceptable” and a serious setback for democratic governance in the region.
In separate statements, the observer missions expressed “deep concern” that the coup announcement came only hours after they held peace meetings with the leading presidential candidates — both of whom had pledged to respect the will of the people.
They urged the immediate release of detained officials and the restoration of constitutional order.
With Guinea-Bissau’s borders closed and communication restricted, anxiety is rising among relatives of Nigerians living or working in the country. Lawmakers warned that the situation could deteriorate quickly if diplomatic actions are not intensified.
The House appealed to ECOWAS to take urgent steps to stabilise the country and prevent further escalation.
Jonathan’s media office has yet to issue a formal update, but sources say he and other observer-mission leaders remain in secure locations pending negotiations for their evacuation.
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