The House of Representatives has called on the Federal Government to deploy all necessary measures to secure the safe return of former President Goodluck Jonathan, who has been stranded in Guinea-Bissau after a military coup.
The call followed the adoption of a motion of urgent national importance moved by the House Leader, Prof. Julius Ihonvbere, on Thursday, November 27, 2025.
Presenting the motion, Ihonvbere informed lawmakers that Jonathan, who travelled to Guinea-Bissau as part of an election observation mission, became trapped in the West African country after soldiers overthrew the government.
He urged the government to take swift action to guarantee the former president’s safety and facilitate his immediate evacuation.
Jonathan, other African leaders stranded in Guinea-Bissau after coup
Jonathan, along with 35 other senior officials, is in Guinea-Bissau as part of a joint observer mission of the African Union (AU), ECOWAS, and the West African Elders Forum (WAEF).
The delegation had been monitoring the November 23 presidential election when soldiers moved to overthrow the government on Wednesday.
Jonathan had, in a post on his Facebook page on Sunday wrote: “OUT ON ELECTION DAY IN BISSAU: Members of the West African Elders Forum (WAEF) Election Mission today conducted visits to some polling stations in Bissau as voting commenced in Guinea-Bissau’s 2025 presidential and parliamentary elections.
“WAEF extends warm regards to the people and authorities of Guinea-Bissau and wishes for a smooth voting process and a peaceful, stable post-election period that strengthens unity and democratic governance.”
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