Goodluck Jonathan, the former president of Guinea-Bissau, has explained why he flew back to Nigeria on an Ivorian aircraft as a result of the coup.
He explained that the Ivorian team first obtained landing clearance because of its proximity, while President Bola Tinubu and President Côte d’Ivoire’s Alassane Ouattara made arrangements to evacuate him and his delegation from Bissau.
Read more about Jonathan’s return to Nigeria after being captured in coup-hit Guinea-Bissau.
He stated in an interview that he had always been afraid to speak to the media since he left office. However, in this particular instance, I made the decision to speak with the media in order to thank Nigerians for their support and show of compassion.
While we were in Bissau, we learned that, regardless of religious or political divides, the entire nation was agitated, young and old, and that I sincerely appreciate Nigerians. I also want to thank my president, President Tinubu, and President Ouattara, the Ivorian president, President Ouattara.
Although both presidents planned to fly the aircraft to lift us, you are aware that Guinea-Bissau and the Francophone countries have always had a relationship, and that they are both Francophones.
The former president urged them not to bother because the Ivorian aircraft had already been cleared, even though the Nigerian aircraft was about to depart for Guinea-Bissau.
Before Nigeria could do that, the Ivorians’ authorities were able to break into their system and obtain a landing permit. The Ivorian aircraft was already heading our way.
We therefore instructed the Nigerian aircraft not to bother when we learned that they were about to depart. If you look at the pictures, I was flown by an Ivorian aircraft, he said in the interview Symfoni posted on YouTube on Friday.
After being trapped in Guinea-Bissau for the election observation, Jonathan returned to Nigeria on Thursday.
About two days after military forces in the West African nation took control of the airport, he arrived late on Thursday at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja.
The West African Elders Forum Observation Mission was led by the former president to monitor the results of the presidential and parliamentary elections.
When the military struck in Guinea-Bissau, his team, which included members of the African Union (AU) and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), were still performing their duties.
The former Bayelsa governor was left stranded, raising concerns for his safety along with others on the observation team as a result.
The former president is safe and has left Guinea-Bissau, according to the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Total Control
On Wednesday, Guinea-Bissau military officers took complete control of the nation, suspending the country’s electoral process and closing its borders.
A command, which included members of the military’s various branches, took control of the nation’s leadership following the coup, according to General Denis N’Canha, the head of the presidential military office.
Umaro Embalo, who had favored winning the election on Sunday despite traveling to Senegal, was taken into custody by the officers.
Source: Channels TV
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