Jonathan briefs Tinubu on Guinea-Bissau crisis, describes post-election turmoil as ‘Ceremonial Coup’

Jonathan briefs Tinubu on Guinea-Bissau crisis, describes post-election turmoil as ‘Ceremonial Coup’

Former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan on Saturday met with President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, to brief him on the political situation and post-election crisis in Guinea-Bissau.

Jonathan, who served as the ECOWAS special envoy during the elections, clarified that what many described as a coup in the West African nation was not a conventional military takeover but what he termed a “ceremonial coup” orchestrated by the Head of State.

Speaking with journalists after the closed-door meeting, the former President explained that the election results in Guinea-Bissau were already known and that the subsequent arrest of the opposition candidate was unjustified.

He said: “I came this evening to brief Mr. President on what happened. That is the tradition for former presidents. Whenever we handle regional or continental assignments, we must brief the sitting President so that he receives first-hand information ahead of the ECOWAS leaders’ meeting.”

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Jonathan emphasized that the election had been concluded and collation nearly completed before the disruption occurred. He insisted that the winner of the Guinea-Bissau election must be announced without delay.

He stated: “The military cannot simply be pushed aside because of the implications, but the legitimate winner must be declared.”

Calling on the sub-regional body to intervene urgently, Jonathan urged ECOWAS to engage the country’s leadership, secure the release of the detained opposition candidate, and ensure respect for democratic processes.

“The opposition candidate committed no offense. He did not declare himself winner; if he had done that, one might argue treason. There is no justification for his arrest,” Jonathan said.

He added that the Head of State’s action did not qualify as a traditional or palace coup, describing it instead as a “ceremonial coup”—a term he coined to capture the unusual nature of the intervention.

“We are tired of negative stories in Africa. This was not a real coup or even a palace coup. I struggled to find the right descriptor, which is why I called it a ceremonial coup — it was carried out by the Head of State himself.”

Jonathan stressed that announcing the authentic election results and inaugurating the rightful winner is the only way to restore stability and democratic credibility in Guinea-Bissau.

Jonathan briefs Tinubu on Guinea-Bissau crisis, describes post-election turmoil as ‘Ceremonial Coup’