Jonathan in Abuja after evacuation from Guinea-Bissau military coup

Former President Goodluck Jonathan has safely returned to Abuja after being evacuated from Guinea-Bissau, where a military coup erupted just days after the country’s presidential elections.

Jonathan arrived at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport on Thursday evening. A viral video showed him descending from a Guinea-Bissau government aircraft to a warm reception from supporters.

The former president was in the West African nation leading the West African Elders Forum Election Observation Mission to monitor last Sunday’s presidential and legislative polls. His mission was abruptly cut short when soldiers seized control of the government on Wednesday.

The coup unfolded with heavy gunfire near the presidential palace and soldiers barricading key areas in the capital. General Denis N’Canha announced that a military command had assumed leadership of the country “until further notice.”

Incumbent President Umaro Sissoco Embaló confirmed his deposition in a phone call with France24.

The coup occurred amidst a dispute over the election results, with both Embaló and opposition candidate Fernando Dias claiming victory.

The military justified its action by alleging a plot involving “national drug lords” and imported weapons to alter the constitutional order.

Jonathan, alongside other international election observation heads, condemned the coup in a joint statement, calling it an attempt to derail the democratic process.

Following reports that Jonathan was trapped, the Nigerian House of Representatives urged the Federal Government to secure his safe return.

The government later confirmed his successful evacuation, with a Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson stating, “Former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan is very safe and out of Guinea-Bissau.”

About The Author

Dele Fashomi

Dele Fashomi, seasoned journalist and communication teacher, is a holder of Master of Arts degree in Communication and Language Arts from the University of Ibadan in 1992/93.

Earlier, he had bagged a Bachelor degree from the same university in 1984, after which he proceeded to the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Lagos, in 1990, for a postgraduate diploma in Journalism.

He had done many courses in communication, including the EU-BBC Editing Course in 2002.

Mr. Fashomi combines effectively the practice, research and teaching of communication. And to date, he has published two academic works in communication: Issues in Communication Technology and Policy (2010) and Economic and Social Issues in Advertising and PR (2013).

He had his first break in the Nigerian media in Concord Newspapers in 1990 and today, he has over two and half decades experience earned in several newspapers.

He has been part of many start-ups, such as The Republic (1987), The Comet (1999), The Anchor 2001 – 2002; Sun Newspapers (2003); Westerner newsmagazine (2005 – 2010) as Editor; National Life (2011) as Sunday Editor, and Newswatch Newspapers (2012- 2016) as Daily Editor.

Dele Fashomi is now the Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of Newstide247.com newspaper online, which he started in July 2015. He is also into biography writing, with many books in his trail, some of which he wrote alone and one he co- authored with his mentor, Mr Dare Babarinsa, entitled:  Olabiyi Durojaiye – DARE TO BE DiFFERENT. He also guided and collaborated with Pa Olatunji Odusanya in writing his autobiography – AGAINST ALL ODDS. There are many other books in the works under his pen.

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