Former President Goodluck Jonathan landed safely in Abuja and poured out gratitude to Nigerians young and old who united across religion and politics in worry when he got trapped in Guinea-Bissau’s explosive military coup on Nov 26. Leading the West African Elders Forum to observe the Nov 23 presidential polls between incumbent Umaro Sissoco Embaló and rival Fernando Dias, Jonathan’s team faced chaos as gunfire rocked the presidential palace, election HQ, and interior ministry right before results dropped.
Troops from the “High Military Command for the Restoration of National Security and Public Order,” led by Brig. Gen. Dinis Incanha, seized control on state TV, arresting Embaló (who claimed deposition without force), generals, ministers, and Dias (who escaped vowing resistance). They suspended politics, media, borders, airspace, and elections—blaming a drug lord-fueled plot to rig votes—while imposing curfew and naming Gen. Horta Inta-A Na Man for a one-year transition. Jonathan credited Presidents Bola Tinubu and Alassane Ouattara for rescue jets (Ivory Coast’s landed first via Francophone links) amid national panic.
This saga echoes Guinea-Bissau’s coup-plagued history (four since independence), spotlighting West Africa’s instability wave. Jonathan called Nigerians’ empathy a morale boost, proving unbreakable solidarity.
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