By Ayodele Oni
The Federal Government of Nigeria has assured of not only the safety of former President Goodluck Jonathan, but confirmed he has departed the Coup D’etat infested Guinea Bissau.
Jonathan was trapped in Guinea-Bissau due to military takeover of government.
He was in the country as part of a joint election observer mission deployed by the African Union (AU), ECOWAS, and the West African Elders Forum (WAEF), whose founder he is before the Military struck.
However, he has been moved under military protection as tensions escalated in the country and, is on his way back to Nigeria, aboard a special flight. Other members of his delegation, also joined him on same flight.
The military takeover occurred after both incumbent President Umaro Sissoco Embaló and opposition candidate Fernando Dias declared themselves winners of Sunday’s presidential election, even though official results had not been released.
Nigeria’s House of Representatives, at its plenary on Thursday, asked the Federal Government to explore diplomatic and every other measures to facilitate the safe return of former President Goodluck Jonathan.
The resolution followed the adoption of a motion of urgent national importance moved by the House Leader, Prof Julius Ihonvbere.
Ihonvbere informed the House that Jonathan, who was in the country on election observation was trapped following the coup, saying, the government should explore ways of ensuring his safe return.
The Nigerian leader alongside hundreds of foreign observers were trapped on Wednesday after the military took over, while result of the elections were about to be officially declared.
Report stated that hundreds of foreign observers who raced to the airport in a bid to leave the country after the coup was announced are currently stranded.
A group of military officers claimed “total control” of the country, a day after two leading candidates – President Umaro Sissoco Embalo and Fernando Dias – each declared victory.
Calling themselves the “High Military Command for the Restoration of Order”, the officers ordered the immediate suspension of the electoral process “until further notice”.
They also ordered the closure of all land, air and sea borders and an overnight curfew.
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