The Nigerian Embassy in Guinea-Bissau has granted asylum to Fernando Dias da Costa, the country’s opposition presidential candidate following alleged threats to his life.
This decision comes after military officers announced a coup in the Portuguese-speaking West African nation last Wednesday, following disputed presidential elections.
In a letter on Monday to the ECOWAS Commission President, Omar Touray, Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, stated that President Bola Tinubu has approved da Costa’s protection within the Nigerian embassy.
The letter requested ECOWAS to mandate the Stabilization Support Mission in Guinea-Bissau to provide protection and security for da Costa while in the embassy.
“The decision of the Federal Government of Nigeria to grant asylum and provide protection to Mr. Fernando Dia Da Costa falls squarely within Nigeria’s sovereign responsibility and longstanding commitment to regional peace, stability, and democratic governance,” said Alkasim Abdulkadir, Tuggar’s special assistant.
He emphasized that Nigeria’s intervention is guided by peace, human security, and regional stability, aligning with ECOWAS principles and Nigeria’s role as a stabilizing force in West Africa.
Persecondnews recalls that the regional bloc has suspended Guinea-Bissau’s membership until constitutional order is restored.
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