The Nigerian embassy in Guinea-Bissau has granted asylum to Fernando Dias da Costa, the nation’s opposition presidential candidate, following threats to his life.
The event comes after army officers staged a coup within the Portuguese-speaking West African nation final Wednesday, simply days after the presidential elections.
Each President Umaro Embaló and da Costa had declared victory earlier than the electoral fee may announce the official outcomes.
Nigeria expressed deep concern over the coup and known as for the rapid restoration of constitutional order. The Ministry of International Affairs acknowledged that it could work with companions to make sure a “swift return” to normalcy.
In a letter to Omar Touray, President of the ECOWAS Fee, Nigeria’s International Minister Yusuf Tuggar stated President Bola Tinubu had accredited da Costa’s safety throughout the Nigerian embassy in Guinea-Bissau.
The letter, dated 30 November, requested that the ECOWAS Stabilization Assist Mission in Guinea-Bissau (ESSMGB) present safety for da Costa whereas on embassy premises.
Alkasim Abdulkadir, Tuggar’s particular assistant on media and communications, confirmed the letter’s authenticity, emphasising that Nigeria’s choice displays its sovereign duty and longstanding dedication to regional peace, stability, and democratic governance.
“Performing within the curiosity of de-escalation, Nigeria exercised its lawful discretion to stop additional tensions and promote social cohesion in Guinea-Bissau and the broader West African sub-region,” Abdulkadir stated.
He added that the intervention aligns with ECOWAS ideas and Nigeria’s position as a stabilising pressure within the area.
Following the coup, ECOWAS convened an emergency digital summit of heads of state and authorities, subsequently suspending Guinea-Bissau from the bloc till constitutional order is restored.