Inside Story: FG Reveals Sh*cking Reason Behind Asylum For Guinea-Bissau Opposition Leader

The Nigerian Embassy in Guinea-Bissau has granted asylum to the country’s opposition presidential candidate, Fernando Dias da Costa, following reported threats to his life after last Wednesday’s military coup.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The coup occurred shortly after the presidential election in the Lusophone West African nation, during which both Da Costa and incumbent President Umaro Embaló prematurely declared victory even before the electoral commission announced official results.

Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the takeover and called for the prompt restoration of constitutional order. The ministry also pledged to work with international partners to ensure a “swift return to normalcy.”

In a letter dated November 30 and addressed to Omar Touray, President of the ECOWAS Commission, Foreign Affairs Minister Yusuf Tuggar confirmed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had approved asylum for Da Costa at the Nigerian Embassy due to credible threats against him.

The letter stated: “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.”

Alkasim Abdulkadir, Special Assistant on Media and Communications Strategy to the minister, verified the authenticity of the letter to The Cable on Monday.

Abdulkadir noted that Nigeria’s action aligns with its sovereign responsibility and longstanding commitment to regional peace, stability, and democratic governance.

He added that the decision was taken to prevent further escalation of tensions.

“In the broader interest of de-escalation, Nigeria exercised its lawful discretion to avert further deterioration of the situation and to foster social cohesion in Guinea-Bissau and the wider West African region,” he said.

According to him, the intervention is anchored in human security and regional stabilisation efforts, consistent with ECOWAS principles and Nigeria’s role as a stabilising force in the sub-region.

Meanwhile, ECOWAS held an emergency virtual summit after the coup and subsequently suspended Guinea-Bissau from the bloc until constitutional rule is restored.