The House of Representatives on Thursday called on the Federal Government to activate all diplomatic channels to secure the quick and safe return of Nigeria’s former President, Goodluck Jonathan, from crisis-torn Guinea-Bissau.
The resolution was passed in sequence to the adoption of a matter of Urgent Public Importance sponsored by the Majority Leader, Hon. Julius Ihonvbere, during the ongoing special session debate on national security.
In his lead debate, Hon. Ihonvbere explained that the former Nigerian Leader was in Guinea-Bissau as Head of the West African Elders Forum (WAEF), serving as part of an International Observer Mission.
“The government is aware, and they are doing everything possible to get him back as quickly and safely as possible.
“Our goal is to urge the Government not to relent in that effort, and to use all diplomatic means at its disposal to get our former President, a true democrat, back to Nigeria immediately,” he urged.
After the unanimous adoption of the motion, ongoing Special Session on National Security, now in its third day.
Jonathan and several high-level dignitaries were stranded after the military announced a takeover on Wednesday, grounding all flights and restricting movement in and out of Guinea-Bissau.
The development occurred on the eve of the planned announcement of results from Sunday’s highly contested presidential election.
To this end, the House reaffirmed that safeguarding the lives of all citizens, at home and abroad, remains a matter of urgent national priority and urged the Executive to act without delay.
Recall that Guinea-Bissau’s military has named General Horta N’Tam as the country’s interim leader for a one-year period, a day after seizing power, suspending the electoral process, and detaining President Umaro Sissoco Embaló.
Heavy military presence remained around the presidential palace on Thursday morning, with soldiers patrolling key streets in Bissau following Wednesday’s intense gunfire that signalled yet another shift in the nation’s fragile political landscape.
General N’Tam, the Army’s Chief of Staff, took the oath of office at military headquarters before announcing that he would head the High Command.
On Wednesday, General Denis N’Canha, head of the Presidential Military Office, alleged that a network involving “drug lords” had planned to smuggle weapons into the country to influence political outcomes.
He, therefore, declared the suspension of all electoral activities, imposed a nationwide curfew, and ordered all media programming halted.
According to General Lassana Mansali, the country’s borders were temporarily sealed but reopened on Thursday.
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