Revelation Rocks Abuja: Ivorian Government, Not Nigeria, Provided Jonathan’s Aircraft

The government of Côte d’Ivoire on Thursday urgently airlifted former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan out of Guinea-Bissau after he became stranded in the country during a military coup.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The intervention has drawn sharp attention to the difference in diplomatic response between the two nations, with Abidjan acting promptly while Abuja appeared sluggish, raising questions about Nigeria’s coordination and diplomatic assertiveness.

According to ThisDay, Ivorian authorities arranged Jonathan’s evacuation using their presidential jet. Insiders revealed that, instead of an official directive from the Nigerian government, some aides to President Bola Tinubu contacted Jonathan’s team in Abuja to help facilitate his return.

“It was the Côte d’Ivoire government that reached out to President Jonathan, and they provided the aircraft bringing him home,” a source told ThisDay under anonymity.

Although Nigerian officials later attempted to coordinate the evacuation, Côte d’Ivoire had already completed the arrangements and ensured Jonathan’s safe return.

Earlier reports claiming that the coup plotters escorted Jonathan to safety were debunked by sources, who confirmed that ECOMOG troops—comprising soldiers from Nigeria, Ghana, and Senegal—were responsible for escorting him from his hotel to the airport.

“You could clearly see it was a presidential jet bearing the insignia of the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire,” the source added.