Nigeria grants asylum to Guinea-Bissau’s opposition candidate

The Nigerian government has granted special protection to the Guinea-Bissau presidential candidate, Fernando Costa, due to reports of imminent threats to his life.

Mr Costa had been the main opposition candidate to incumbent President Umaro Embalo in the 2025 presidential election, held on 23 November.

However, hours before the results were to be announced, the military seized power, suspended elections, and imposed a curfew.

PREMIUM TIMES quoted the Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs as saying President Bola Tinubu had approved the decision to place Mr Dias under protection within the Nigerian Embassy premises in Guinea-Bissau.

According to the newspaper, a letter addressed to the President of the ECOWAS Commission, Omar Alieu Touray, dated 30 November, and signed by the Minister, Yusuf Tuggar, stated that the decision reflects Nigeria’s commitment to safeguarding democratic processes and ensuring the safety of political actors in the region.

It reports that the letter also requested ECOWAS to direct its Stabilisation Support Mission in Guinea-Bissau to provide Mr Da Costa with additional protection within the embassy grounds.

“I write to inform you that His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GON, has graciously approved the provision of protection and security in the premises of the Nigerian Embassy in the Republic of Guinea-Bissau, for Mr Fernando Dia Da Costa. Mr President’s decision is a proactive measure to ensure the safety of Mr Da Costa in response to imminent threats to his life.

“The decision to accommodate Mr Da Costa within the Nigerian premises underscores our firm commitment to safeguarding the democratic aspirations and the sovereign will of the good people of the Republic of Guinea-Bissau.

“In this regard, it would be appreciated if you would kindly mandate the ECOWAS Stabilisation Support Mission in Guinea-Bissau (ESSMGB) to provide him protection and security while in the premises of the Nigerian Embassy,” PREMIUM TIMES quoted the letter as reading in part.

Since the news broke, the coup has drawn criticism across West Africa, with several governments and regional blocs calling for a return to constitutional order.

Some leaders have also accused the ousted president, Mr Embalo, of staging the coup to prevent the announcement of the election result.

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