Federal government has confirmed that former President Goodluck Jonathan is safe and has left Guinea-Bissau following a military takeover in the country.
Gatekeepers News reports that according to a statement on Thursday by Kimiebi Ebienfa, spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Jonathan departed on a special flight along with members of his delegation.
He said, “Former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan is very safe and out of Guinea-Bissau. He left on a special flight with members of his delegation, including Mohamed Chambas.”
The coup was announced on Wednesday by military officers in Guinea-Bissau, who suspended the ongoing electoral process and declared control until further notice.
Jonathan was among 36 high-profile observers participating in a joint mission by the African Union (AU), Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), and West African Elders Forum (WAEF) to monitor the presidential election.
Nigeria stated it would collaborate with regional partners to take all necessary actions to ensure a swift return to constitutional governance in Guinea-Bissau.
Ebienfa said, “This coup d’état represents a blatant violation of the fundamental principles of the ECOWAS Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance, which explicitly rejects any ascension to power through unconstitutional means.”
“We stand in solidarity with the people of Guinea-Bissau and call for the immediate and unconditional restoration of constitutional order, the safety and security of all those detained, and full respect for the sanctity of democratic institutions in Guinea-Bissau.”
“The Nigerian government wishes to unequivocally call on the authorities in Guinea-Bissau to ensure and guarantee the safety of all election observers still in the country on official assignment.”
“We warn that the perpetrators of this act will be held accountable for their actions, which threaten to plunge the nation into chaos and reverse the hard-won gains of its democracy.”
