By Lami Ibrahim
Former President Goodluck Jonathan has dismissed claims that the recent political unrest in Guinea-Bissau amounted to a military coup, describing the incident instead as a stage-managed operation.
Jonathan, who led the West African Elders Forum (WAEF) Election Observation Mission to the country, stated this upon his return to Nigeria after being evacuated from Bissau following the disturbances that disrupted the announcement of the presidential election results.
Speaking to newsmen, Jonathan said it was unusual that the country’s president, Umaro Sissoco Embaló, personally announced that a coup was underway, insisting that such behaviour contradicted what typically occurs during a genuine coup d’état.
According to him, in real coup situations, heads of state are usually detained and denied communication access, not given the ability to contact media organisations or address the public freely.
Jonathan explained that the election process in Guinea-Bissau was peaceful and credible, and that results from all regions had been collated before the disruption.
He therefore urged ECOWAS and the African Union to ensure the immediate release of the official results in order to preserve democratic integrity.
He warned that the unfolding situation not only threatens the stability of Guinea-Bissau but also poses danger to democratic governance across West Africa, stressing the need for transparency and adherence to constitutional processes.
Jonathan appealed to regional bodies to take urgent steps in defending democracy and ensuring that the will of the people is respected.
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