Former President Goodluck Jonathan has shared that both President Bola Tinubu and Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara sent aircraft to evacuate him and his team during the recent coup in Guinea-Bissau.
Speaking to journalists, Jonathan explained that although Nigeria immediately responded, the aircraft from Côte d’Ivoire arrived first because of its proximity and quicker landing clearance, thanks to regional arrangements. Once the Ivorian jet was confirmed ready, the Nigerian team was asked to stand down.
Jonathan said:
He expressed deep appreciation to both leaders for their swift intervention during what he described as a tense and uncertain moment.
The former president had travelled to Guinea-Bissau as the head of the West African Elders Forum Election Observation Mission, monitoring last Sunday’s presidential and legislative elections. His team was still carrying out its duties when the military suddenly announced it had taken over government operations following rising tensions over disputed election results.
Jonathan, alongside other regional and continental observer leaders, condemned the coup, describing it as a deliberate attempt to derail the democratic process.
