The Nigerian embassy in Guinea-Bissau has offered asylum to Fernando Dias da Costa, the country’s opposition presidential candidate, following claims that his life is under threat.
The move comes in the wake of a military coup announced last Wednesday, barely days after the West African nation concluded its presidential election.
Tension had escalated after President Umaro Embaló and his major challenger, da Costa, separately claimed victory before the electoral commission released official results.
Nigeria, reacting to the political crisis, expressed concern over the coup and urged an immediate return to constitutional governance.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also pledged to work with international partners to ensure a “swift return” to stability.
In a letter addressed to the ECOWAS Commission President, Omar Touray, Foreign Affairs Minister Yusuf Tuggar disclosed that President Bola Tinubu approved da Costa’s stay at the Nigerian mission in Bissau.
Tuggar said Tinubu’s decision followed reports of direct threats to the opposition candidate’s life.
“In this regard, it would be appreciated if you would kindly mandate the ECOWAS Stabilization Support Mission in Guinea-Bissau (ESSMGB) to provide him protection and security while in the premises of the Nigerian embassy,” the letter said.
The minister’s aide, Alkasim Abdulkadir, later confirmed the authenticity of the letter, saying, “The decision of the Federal Government of Nigeria to grant asylum and provide protection to Mr. Fernando Dia Da Costa falls squarely within Nigeria’s sovereign responsibility and longstanding commitment to regional peace, stability, and democratic governance.”
He added that Nigeria’s intervention was aimed at preventing further tension and promoting stability across Guinea-Bissau and the sub-region.
ECOWAS has since held an emergency virtual meeting on the situation and subsequently suspended Guinea-Bissau from the bloc until democratic order is restored.