Jonathan thanks Tinubu, Ouattara for swift evacuation after Guinea-Bissau coup

By Kunle Sanni –

Former President Goodluck Jonathan has expressed deep appreciation to President Bola Tinubu of Nigeria and President Alassane Ouattara of Côte d’Ivoire for facilitating his safe return to Nigeria following the coup attempt in Guinea-Bissau.

Speaking to journalists after his arrival on Friday, Jonathan disclosed that he was overwhelmed by the concern shown by Nigerians when news broke that he was in Bissau during the unrest. He thanked citizens for their empathy and encouragement.

He explained that the agitation across the country, irrespective of political or religious lines, deeply touched him, adding that he wanted Nigerians to hear directly from him how grateful he was.

Jonathan also clarified why he returned aboard an Ivorian aircraft instead of a Nigerian government jet. He said both Nigeria and Côte d’Ivoire made swift arrangements for his evacuation.

According to him, the Ivorian authorities secured landing permission faster because of their proximity to Bissau and familiarity with the francophone system. This enabled their aircraft to reach him first.

“So the Ivorian aircraft was already on its way, so we informed the Nigerian aircraft not to bother. That is why you saw that it was the Ivorian aircraft that brought us back to Nigeria. We thank the two presidents,” he said.

Jonathan thanked both presidents for their prompt intervention, stressing that their actions ensured his safe and timely evacuation from the troubled country.

His remarks come amid renewed regional concern over instability in Guinea-Bissau, where tensions escalated on Wednesday after soldiers opened fire near key government buildings ahead of the release of presidential election results.