The Nigerian embassy in Guinea-Bissau has granted asylum to opposition presidential candidate Fernando Dias da Costa after he faced threats to his life.
The decision comes in the aftermath of a military coup in the Portuguese-speaking West African country last Wednesday, just days following the presidential elections. Both incumbent President Umaro Embaló and da Costa had declared victory before the official results were announced.
Nigeria condemned the coup and urged the immediate restoration of constitutional order. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it would work with partners to ensure a quick return to stability.
In a November 30 letter to ECOWAS Commission President Omar Touray, Foreign Minister Yusuf Tuggar confirmed that President Bola Tinubu had authorized protection for da Costa at the Nigerian embassy. The letter also requested that the ECOWAS Stabilization Support Mission in Guinea-Bissau (ESSMGB) provide security for him while on embassy grounds.
Alkasim Abdulkadir, Tuggar’s special assistant on media and communications, confirmed the letter’s authenticity, noting that Nigeria’s intervention reflects its sovereign responsibility and longstanding commitment to regional peace and democratic governance.
“Taking this step was aimed at de-escalating tensions and preventing further unrest, promoting social cohesion in Guinea-Bissau and across West Africa,” Abdulkadir said, emphasizing that the move aligns with ECOWAS principles and Nigeria’s stabilizing role in the region.
Following the coup, ECOWAS convened an emergency virtual summit of heads of state, suspending Guinea-Bissau from the bloc until constitutional order is restored.
