- President Omar Touray confirmed President Bola Tinubu’s approval for da Costa to remain safely within the embassy
- He added that the move is consistent with ECOWAS protocols and reflects Nigeria’s role as a regional stabiliser
- Nigeria’s decision aligns with its longstanding commitment to democracy
The Nigerian embassy in Guinea-Bissau has taken Fernando Dias da Costa, the country’s opposition presidential contender, into protective custody after emerging security threats following last week’s military takeover.
Eko Hot Blog reports that the intervention followed rising tensions in the Portuguese-speaking nation where soldiers seized power just days after a disputed presidential poll that saw both President Umaro Embaló and da Costa prematurely claim victory.
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Nigeria, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, expressed grave worry over the unfolding crisis and urged an immediate return to constitutional rule, reaffirming its readiness to work with regional partners to stabilise the country.
A letter sent by Foreign Affairs Minister Yusuf Tuggar to ECOWAS Commission President Omar Touray confirmed President Bola Tinubu’s approval for da Costa to remain safely within the embassy while the ECOWAS Stabilisation Mission provides additional protection.
Tuggar’s media aide, Alkasim Abdulkadir, verified the correspondence, noting that Nigeria’s decision aligns with its longstanding commitment to democracy, peacebuilding and conflict de-escalation across West Africa.
He added that the move is consistent with ECOWAS protocols and reflects Nigeria’s role as a regional stabiliser.
ECOWAS has since convened an emergency virtual meeting of heads of state, resolving to suspend Guinea-Bissau until civilian governance is restored.
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