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 in the aftermath of last week’s military coup, The Cable reports.
The coup, announced by military officers on Wednesday, occurred just days after Guinea-Bissau’s presidential election, in which both incumbent President Umaro Embaló and da Costa claimed victory before official results were released.
Nigeria condemned the takeover and called for an immediate return to constitutional order.
In a letter dated November 30 to the President of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission, Omar Touray, Foreign Affairs Minister Yusuf Tuggar stated that President Bola Tinubu had approved asylum and protection for da Costa within the Nigerian embassy in Bissau.
The letter noted that the decision was made “in response to threats made against da Costa’s life.”
Tuggar further requested that ECOWAS mandate the ECOWAS Stabilisation Support Mission in Guinea-Bissau to provide protection and security for da Costa while he remains on the embassy premises.
The Foreign Affairs Ministry’s Special Assistant on Media and Communications Strategy, Alkasim Abdulkadir, confirmed the letter’s authenticity to The Cable on Monday.
Abdulkadir said, “The Federal Government of Nigeria’s decision to grant asylum and provide protection to Fernando Dias da Costa falls squarely within Nigeria’s sovereign responsibility and longstanding commitment to regional peace, stability, and democratic governance.”
He added that the move was taken “in the broader interest of de-escalation,” aimed at preventing further tensions and promoting social cohesion in Guinea-Bissau and the wider West African sub-region.
Abdulkadir emphasized that the intervention aligns with ECOWAS principles and underscores Nigeria’s role as a stabilizing force in the region.
Following the coup, ECOWAS held an emergency virtual summit of heads of state and subsequently suspended Guinea-Bissau from the regional bloc until constitutional order is restored.
