Former President Goodluck Jonathan has safely arrived back in Nigeria after being temporarily trapped in Guinea-Bissau following Wednesday’s military coup that toppled President Umaro Sissoco Embaló.Jonathan touched down at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, late Thursday night aboard a special flight, accompanied by members of his delegation, including veteran diplomat Ibn Chambas.The former Nigerian leader had led the West African Elders Forum (WAEF) Election Observation Mission to monitor Guinea-Bissau’s presidential and parliamentary elections held last Sunday. He was still in the country carrying out post-election engagements alongside ECOWAS and African Union teams when armed forces seized power, suspended the constitution, closed borders, and placed President Embaló under arrest.The sudden takeover raised concerns for the safety of international observers, but Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs quickly confirmed Jonathan’s well-being.“Former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan is very safe and out of Guinea-Bissau,” ministry spokesperson Kimiebi Ebienfa said in a statement.Nigeria has strongly condemned the coup, describing it as a “blatant violation” of the ECOWAS Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance, and demanded the immediate restoration of constitutional order in the troubled West African nation.
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