Nigerian Embassy Grants Asylum To Guinea-Bissau Opposition Candidate After Military Coup

The Nigerian embassy in Guinea-Bissau has provided asylum to opposition presidential candidate Fernando Dias da Costa after threats were made against his life.

This follows a military coup in the Portuguese-speaking West African nation last Wednesday, just days after the presidential elections. Both President Umaro Embaló and da Costa had declared victory ahead of the official results.

Nigeria expressed serious concern over the coup and called for an immediate restoration of constitutional order. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it would work with partners to ensure a “swift return” to normalcy.

In a letter dated November 30 to ECOWAS Commission President Omar Touray, Nigeria’s Foreign Minister Yusuf Tuggar confirmed that President Bola Tinubu had approved protection for da Costa at the Nigerian embassy. The letter also requested that the ECOWAS Stabilization Support Mission in Guinea-Bissau (ESSMGB) provide security for him while on embassy premises.

Alkasim Abdulkadir, Tuggar’s special assistant on media and communications, verified the letter and said Nigeria’s decision reflects its sovereign duty and commitment to regional peace, stability, and democratic governance.

“Acting to reduce tensions, Nigeria used its lawful discretion to prevent further unrest and promote social cohesion in Guinea-Bissau and across West Africa,” Abdulkadir said, emphasizing that the intervention aligns with ECOWAS principles and Nigeria’s role as a regional stabilizer.

Following the coup, ECOWAS convened an emergency virtual summit of heads of state, suspending Guinea-Bissau from the bloc until constitutional order is fully restored.