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Reps Demand Urgent Diplomatic Action As Ex-President Jonathan, Foreign Observers Trapped In Guinea-Bissau Coup
The lawmakers urged the Federal Government to immediately activate diplomatic channels and deploy every necessary measure to ensure Jonathan’s safe evacuation.
Abuja, Nigeria- Nigeria’s House of Representatives on Thursday expressed concern over the safety of former President Goodluck Jonathan, who has been trapped in Guinea-Bissau after a sudden military coup halted the country’s electoral process.
The lawmakers urged the Federal Government to immediately activate diplomatic channels and deploy every necessary measure to ensure Jonathan’s safe evacuation, alongside other foreign election observers currently stranded in the troubled West African nation.
The resolution followed a motion of urgent national importance moved by the House Leader, Prof. Julius Ihonvbere, who told lawmakers that Jonathan—on official assignment as an election observer—became trapped when soldiers seized power on Wednesday.
According to Ihonvbere, chaos erupted as the military took over while the country’s electoral commission was preparing to announce official results, prompting hundreds of foreign observers to storm the airport in an attempt to flee.
They were unable to leave as officers shut down all land, air and sea borders.
A group of soldiers, identifying themselves as the High Military Command for the Restoration of Order, declared they had assumed “total control” of the country.
They announced an immediate suspension of the electoral process “until further notice” and imposed a nationwide curfew.
“I have been deposed,” President Umaro Sissoco Embaló reportedly told France24 in a phone call, confirming that he was being held at military headquarters. The coup unfolded barely a day after both Embaló and opposition candidate Fernando Dias separately declared victory, escalating political tensions.
Reports from Bissau also indicate that Domingos Simões Pereira, leader of the main opposition PAIGC party, has been arrested.
Coup leader Denis N’Canha, previously head of the presidential guard, is said to be tightening control, with attempts to restrict internet access and communications.
The House of Representatives said Nigeria must not delay in securing Jonathan and other stranded observers, warning that the unfolding situation poses serious diplomatic and regional security concerns.
