Former President Goodluck Jonathan is back in Nigeria after being caught in Guinea-Bissau during a military takeover while serving as an election observer.
He landed at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, late Thursday, roughly 48 hours after soldiers seized power in the West African nation.
Jonathan arrived aboard a Guinea-Bissau government aircraft and was received on the tarmac by supporters and government officials.
Jonathan had travelled to Guinea-Bissau as head of the West African Elders Forum Observation Mission to monitor presidential and parliamentary elections.
His delegation, along with teams from the African Union (AU) and ECOWAS, was still carrying out its assignment when the coup unfolded, leaving them stranded and prompting concerns about their safety.
The Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs later confirmed that Jonathan and his team were evacuated without harm.
“Former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan is very safe and out of Guinea-Bissau,” ministry spokesperson Kimiebi Ebienfa said, noting that Jonathan departed on a special flight with members of his delegation, including Ibn Chambas.
Guinea-Bissau’s military seized full control on Wednesday, suspending the electoral process and shutting the country’s borders just days after national elections. Soldiers arrested President Umaro Embaló, who had been widely expected to win Sunday’s poll.
The junta later announced that the army’s chief of staff, General Horta N’Tam, would lead the country for one year.
Source: Channels TV
