Jonathan Briefs Tinubu on Guinea Bissau Crisis, Labels Situation a Ceremonial Coup

Former President Goodluck Jonathan on Saturday evening met with President Bola Tinubu at the State House in Abuja to brief him on the political impasse in Guinea Bissau. Jonathan, who recently led the West African Elders Forum Election Observer Mission to the country, provided a first-hand account of the developments following the abrupt suspension of the electoral process and the subsequent military intervention, which has drawn global condemnation.

Speaking to journalists after the closed-door meeting, Jonathan explained that it is customary for former presidents involved in regional and continental assignments to brief the sitting president upon return. He said this ensures that Nigeria is fully informed of regional developments and can engage effectively with other leaders when discussions arise at the West African or continental level.

Jonathan described the events in Guinea Bissau not as a traditional military or palace coup, but as a ceremonial coup orchestrated by the ousted President Umaro Sissoco Embalo. According to him, the term reflects the unusual nature of the intervention, noting that the election process had been largely completed and the results were known before the disruption.

He explained, “What happened in Guinea Bissau is not what some people would call a palace coup. We know real coups and palace coups in Nigeria. This was not even a palace coup. I was looking for the appropriate word to describe it, and that is why I called it a ceremonial coup. It was a ceremony conducted by the Head of State himself.”

Jonathan urged the Economic Community of West African States to engage the military junta and insist on the release of the opposition candidate, who has not committed any offence. He emphasized that the election winner should be officially announced and, if possible, inaugurated as president.

He said, “The key thing is that the election was concluded. Tallying of results was almost concluded. In fact, the results are known. The winner of that election must be announced. You cannot remove the military by force, otherwise people will die. But let us know the winner of the election. ECOWAS leadership needs to reach out to the leadership in Guinea Bissau. They are human beings and they know the right thing to be done. First, they should release the opposition candidate. Then they should announce the result and, if the military agrees, the person who won the election should be inaugurated as president.”

Jonathan stressed that the peaceful resolution of the crisis is crucial for the stability of Guinea Bissau and the broader West African region. He highlighted that Nigeria, as a leading member of ECOWAS, has a responsibility to ensure that democracy is upheld and that electoral outcomes are respected.