Nigeria grants asylum to Guinea Bissau opposition candidate Fernando Dias

Nigeria has given asylum to Fernando Dias da Costa, the Guinea Bissau opposition presidential candidate, after he reported threats to his life following last week’s military takeover of the country.

The Nigerian embassy in Bissau is now hosting da Costa, who sought protection days after the disputed presidential election that plunged the Portuguese-speaking nation into crisis. Both Fernando Dias da Costa and Umaro Embalo, Guinea Bissau president, claimed victory before the electoral commission could release official results.

Read also: Army general sworn in as Guinea Bissau transition leader, reopens borders

Security in the capital deteriorated rapidly after soldiers announced a coup on Wednesday, prompting concern across West Africa. Nigeria said it was “deeply worried” by the development and urged the immediate return of constitutional order.

In a letter to Omar Touray, ECOWAS commission president, Yusuf Tuggar, Nigeria’s minister of foreign affairs, said President Bola Tinubu had approved safe passage and protection for da Costa inside the embassy.

According to Tuggar’s letter, dated November 30, Tinubu’s approval followed “credible threats” made against the opposition candidate. “It would be appreciated if you would kindly mandate the ECOWAS Stabilisation Support Mission in Guinea Bissau to provide him protection and security while in the premises of the Nigerian embassy,” Tuggar wrote.

Read also: Guinea Bissau military officers seize power, take over capital

Alkasim Abdulkadir, special assistant to Tuggar on media and communications strategy, confirmed the authenticity of the letter. He said Nigeria’s action was consistent with its longstanding role in supporting peace and democracy across West Africa.

“The decision of the Federal Government of Nigeria to grant asylum and provide protection to Mr Fernando Dias da Costa falls squarely within Nigeria’s sovereign responsibility and commitment to regional stability,” Abdulkadir said. “Nigeria acted in the broader interest of preventing further escalation and promoting social cohesion.”

Read also: Guinea Bissau’s ousted president Embalo flees to Senegal after coup

He added that the intervention was guided by “the imperatives of peace, human security and regional stability”, principles aligned with ECOWAS efforts to curb political instability in the subregion. ECOWAS leaders held an emergency virtual summit after the coup and later suspended Guinea Bissau from the bloc until democratic rule is restored.

For now, da Costa remains under Nigerian protection as regional diplomats push for a political solution and a return to civilian authority.

Faith Omoboye is a foreign affairs correspondent with background in History and International relations. Her work focuses on African politics, diplomacy, and global governance.

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