Nigeria TV Info 

Jonathan Briefs Tinubu on Political Situation in Guinea-Bissau

Lagos/Abuja — On Saturday, former President Goodluck Jonathan met with incumbent President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. The visit came just hours after Jonathan’s return from Guinea-Bissau — where he led a regional election observation mission — to brief Tinubu on the unfolding political crisis in the West African country.

Jonathan described the developments in Guinea-Bissau not as a conventional military coup, but as a “ceremonial coup” orchestrated by the country’s incumbent president, Umaro Sissoco Embaló. He argued that the takeover appeared “stage-managed,” with Embaló himself effectively announcing the coup — a departure from the usual modus operandi of military juntas.

According to Jonathan, the electoral process in Guinea-Bissau had nearly concluded: tallying of votes was “almost finished,” and while final results had not been publicly released, the winner was known. The military’s intervention, he said, interrupted a legitimate process. He urged the regional bloc ECOWAS to secure the release of the detained opposition candidate, declare the rightful winner, and ensure their formal inauguration — stressing that reinstating constitutional order should not necessitate use of force.

Jonathan emphasized that his briefing to Tinubu aligns with longstanding tradition: former Nigerian leaders involved in regional or continental engagements are expected to provide first-hand updates upon return, especially ahead of planned meetings of ECOWAS heads of state.

Meanwhile, following the military takeover, the new ruling body — High Military Command for the Restoration of National Security and Public Order — has suspended the election process and closed borders, declaring itself in control of the nation.