Former President Goodluck Jonathan has categorically stated that the recent incident in Guinea Bissau was not a coup but rather a stage-managed plot by President Umaro Embalo to undermine democratic governance.
Addressing the media in Abuja, Jonathan expressed concern over the hijacking of a transparent electoral process and urged the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to take decisive action. He called on the international community to ensure that the results of the Guinea Bissau presidential election are released and that a winner is announced, despite the military’s declaration of control over the country.
Speaking with journalists at the Nnamdi Azikwe Airport in Abuja, Jonathan, who rarely grants unscheduled media interviews, explained his decision to break his silence. “First, to thank Nigerians for the show of empathy during the tense hours of uncertainty in Bissau,” he said.
“While we were in Bissau and this so-called coup happened, the information we got was that the whole country was agitated—young and old, irrespective of religious or political divides. I sincerely appreciate Nigerians,” he added.
As part of a joint election observer mission deployed by the African Union, ECOWAS, and the West African Elders Forum to monitor the presidential and legislative elections, Jonathan revealed that both President Bola Tinubu of Nigeria and President Alassane Ouattara of Côte d’Ivoire had prepared aircraft to evacuate him and his delegation when the situation became precarious. “I thank President Tinubu and President Ouattara; both presidents were to send aircraft to lift us,” he noted, highlighting the commitment of African leaders to safeguarding democratic processes.
Jonathan referred to the events surrounding the ousting of Umaro Sissoco Embaló as a “phantom coup,” emphasising that the tenure of the former military leader had just expired. “What happened was not a coup – maybe a ceremonial one. I wouldn’t call it a coup. For want of a better word, maybe it was a ceremonial coup,” he stated.
He elaborated, “Two things made it bizarre: it was President Embaló himself who first announced it. And while this ‘coup’ was happening, he was using his phone to address media organisations across the world, saying he had been arrested. I am a Nigerian close to 70. I know how heads of state are kept when a coup takes place. This one does not fit.”
Jonathan expressed his pain over the situation, recalling his years of effort in mediating and stabilising Guinea-Bissau, particularly during the country’s tumultuous period between 2011 and 2014. He urged for a collective response to protect democracy in the region and prevent any further erosion of governance.
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