The Nigerian embassy in Guinea-Bissau has granted asylum to Fernando Dias da Costa, the country’s opposition presidential candidate, following threats to his life.
The development comes after military officers staged a 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 before the electoral commission could announce the official results.
Nigeria expressed deep concern over the coup and called for the immediate restoration of constitutional order. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that it would work with partners to ensure a “swift return” to normalcy.
In a letter to Omar Touray, President of the ECOWAS Commission, Nigeria’s Foreign Minister Yusuf Tuggar said President Bola Tinubu had approved da Costa’s protection within the Nigerian embassy in Guinea-Bissau.
The letter, dated 30 November, requested that the ECOWAS Stabilization Support Mission in Guinea-Bissau (ESSMGB) provide security for da Costa while on embassy premises.
Alkasim Abdulkadir, Tuggar’s special assistant on media and communications, confirmed the letter’s authenticity, emphasising that Nigeria’s decision reflects its sovereign responsibility and longstanding commitment to regional peace, stability, and democratic governance.
“Acting in the interest of de-escalation, Nigeria exercised its lawful discretion to prevent further tensions and promote social cohesion in Guinea-Bissau and the wider West African sub-region,” Abdulkadir said.
He added that the intervention aligns with ECOWAS principles and Nigeria’s role as a stabilising force in the region.
Following the coup, ECOWAS convened an emergency virtual summit of heads of state and government, subsequently suspending Guinea-Bissau from the bloc until constitutional order is restored.
