iDeemlawfulPresident Bola Ahmed Tinubu received former President Goodluck Jonathan at the Presidential Villa on Saturday.
The development was announced by President Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
Jonathan had only recently returned to Nigeria from Guinea-Bissau, where he served on an election monitoring mission. His trip drew public concern after a military takeover erupted in the West African nation while he was still there.
Speaking to State House correspondents upon his return, Jonathan confirmed that he visited the Presidential Villa to brief President Bola Tinubu on the developments in Guinea-Bissau and his engagements during the monitoring assignment.
He said: “That election was concluded, the results are known and the winner of the election must be announced… ECOWAS leadership should reach out to the military leadership to release the opposition leader and announce the result.
“The person who won the election should be inaugurated as the President of the country.” Recall that Jonathan had in an interview on Friday insisted that the recent military takeover in Guinea-Bissau “was not a coup,” describing the developments in Bissau as “maybe a ceremonial coup.”
Jonathan’s remarks came less than 48 hours after heavy gunfire echoed around key government institutions in Bissau on Wednesday, as soldiers announced they had seized “total control” of the country.
At the centre of the crisis, former President Umaro Sissoco Embaló revealed that he was arrested in his office at the presidential palace. This development triggered widespread fear and confusion across the capital.
Following Embaló’s arrest, the military declared a nighttime curfew, suspended the ongoing electoral process and ordered the shutdown of all land and sea borders.
Several senior government officials — including top security, military and interior ministry personnel — were also detained during the coordinated takeover of government buildings.
The Nigerian government condemned the incident in strong terms, calling it “a serious threat to democracy and regional stability,” while confirming that Jonathan had been evacuated safely.
Jonathan had been in the country leading the West African Elders Forum Election Observation Mission ahead of the November 23 presidential and legislative elections, before the takeover disrupted the declaration of election results.
