Former President Goodluck Jonathan on Wednesday visited President Bola Tinubu at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa in Abuja, in what is believed to be part of ongoing consultations on West African political developments and Nigeria’s regional diplomatic engagements.
The meeting, which held at about 4 p.m., was confirmed by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, who shared photographs of the encounter on social media with the caption: “President Tinubu meets former President Goodluck Jonathan at the Villa.”
Images from the meeting showed both leaders in a relaxed discussion, with a “Two-Year Milestone” document visible in the background of the President’s office. However, no official details were released on the agenda of their talks.
Wednesday’s visit comes months after Jonathan’s last trip to the Villa in November 2025, during a turbulent period in West Africa following a military takeover in Guinea-Bissau.
Jonathan had then been in the country as part of the West African Elders Forum election observation mission when soldiers led by Brigadier-General Dinis Incanha detained President Umaro Sissoco Embaló just before the announcement of presidential election results.
Following his evacuation on a private jet reportedly arranged by Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara, Jonathan met with Tinubu in Abuja, where he urged regional leaders to support the peaceful resolution of the crisis and ensure the release of opposition figures.
He had described the takeover as a “ceremonial coup,” arguing that it differed from traditional military takeovers.
Since then, Guinea-Bissau’s transitional authorities have announced plans to hold presidential and legislative elections in December 2026, though the timeline has not yet received full endorsement from ECOWAS.
Jonathan, who has increasingly played a mediating role in West African crises over the past decade, continues to serve as a key figure in regional election observation and conflict resolution efforts under the West African Elders Forum.
