₦airaland Forum

Guinea Bissau coup more painful than losing election to Buhari – Jonathan

Former President Goodluck Jonathan has described the recent military takeover in Guinea Bissau as more painful to him than his loss to former President Muhammadu Buhari in the 2015 presidential election.

Jonathan, who spoke in a video interview obtained by Saturday PUNCH, said the development was particularly troubling because of his long-standing involvement in restoring democracy to the West African country.

The former president had travelled to Guinea Bissau as part of the West African Elders Forum to monitor the presidential and parliamentary elections.

But while observer missions from the African Union, Economic Community of West African States, and other bodies were still carrying out their duties, the military seized power.

The development left the former Bayelsa State governor and his team stranded and raised concerns over his safety.

Jonathan, who was later evacuated from Guinea Bissau and arrived in Nigeria on Thursday, said the incident unsettled him.

He said, “What happened in Guinea Bissau is quite disturbing to me, a person who believes in democracy. In fact, I feel more pain than the day I called Buhari to congratulate him when I lost the election as a sitting president.

“I have been quite particular about Guinea Bissau. As a sitting president then, Guinea Bissau was in crisis. It started around 2012. In 2011, we had to go physically and work with them and made sure that the 2013 elections were conducted.”

He described the situation in Guinea Bissau as bizarre, arguing that it did not fit the usual pattern of a military coup.

Jonathan said President Umaro Embaló’s early announcement of his own “arrest,” while still using his phone to speak to international media, raised questions about the credibility of the claim.

According to him, the Guinea Bissau elections were peaceful as he cited reports from ECOWAS, AU and other observer missions.

He expressed concern that while results were being collated, Embaló announced that a coup had taken place and that he had been detained, even though evidence suggested he was never arrested.

“It is painful for me that President Embaló was the one announcing a military takeover of government. It is totally unacceptable.

“What happened in Guinea Bissau, I would not call it a coup; it was not a coup. For lack of a better word, I will say it was a ceremonial coup because it was President Embaló who announced the coup before the military later came up to address the world that they were in charge of government.

“Embaló had already announced that there was a coup, which is strange. Not only announcing the coup, but Embaló, while the coup took place, was using his phone and addressing media organisations across the world that he had been arrested. I’m a Nigerian close to 70 and I know how they keep Heads of State when a coup takes place.

“They cannot be playing pranks; nobody should call others fools. There is no way there will be a military coup at a time they were about to announce election results and the president was the person who announced the coup. It doesn’t happen anywhere,” Jonathan said.

The former president advised against engaging the military in a battle to take back power and called on ECOWAS and the AU to release the full election results.

Jonathan also called for the release of the main opposition leader, Fernando Dias, from military custody, insisting that he did not commit any offence.

Recounting how he was evacuated, the former president said he was airlifted by the Ivorian government.

Jonathan explained that both Nigeria and Côte d’Ivoire had made arrangements to send aircraft to evacuate him and his team, but the Ivorian government secured clearance ahead of Nigeria.

He noted that Côte d’Ivoire’s proximity to Guinea Bissau, coupled with the traditional ties between francophone and lusophone countries, made it easier for them to obtain a landing permit more quickly.

He said the Ivorian aircraft was already en route when Nigeria finally received approval to deploy its own plane.

According to him, once they were informed that the Nigerian aircraft was preparing to take off, his team advised Abuja not to proceed since the Ivorian plane was already close.

This, he added, was why he returned on an Ivorian aircraft, as seen in the photographs taken on his arrival.

https://punchng.com/guinea-bissau-coup-more-painful-than-losing-election-to-buhari-jonathan/

This is the fifth West African country that has come under military rule, let that sink in.

givedemwotowoto:
This is the fifth West African country that has come under military rule, let that sink in.

This wasn't a coup it was a ceremonial thing to bottle up bitterness.

" If I didn't win then nobody will govern this nation kind of black man mentality "

saintopus:
This wasn't a coup it was a ceremonial thing to bottle up bitterness.

" If I didn't win then nobody will govern this nation kind of black man mentality "

Ernest Shonekan announced the transfer of power to Abacha in 1993. We learned later that he was basically announcing his own coup.

I heard what GEJ said but I have reason to believe otherwise especially since he was stating an opinion (what he thought). Plus, the military also made a statement that they seized power.

givedemwotowoto:
Ernest Shonekan announced the transfer of power to Abacha in 1993. We learned later that he was basically announcing his own coup.

I heard what GEJ said but I have reason to believe otherwise especially since he was stating an opinion (what he thought). Plus, the military also made a statement that they seized power.

The norms of course in African country is usually very bloody.

Politics talks

The thing really pain PGEJ... He has granted a very comprehensive talk about the whole event.
I guess this one really shock him, even after he'd tot he has seen it all.

From progress to backwardness, na us e pain pass.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f5-GpzCSxAg

saintopus:
Guinea Bissau coup more painful than losing election to Buhari – Jonathan






https://punchng.com/guinea-bissau-coup-more-painful-than-losing-election-to-buhari-jonathan/

You didn't loose, just that you chose the path of civility. Your ambition was not worth the blood of any Nigerian. That's you. So to us, you won.

Whatever they have chosen to make then happy. So be it.

We honestly have a lot to deal with in Nigeria.

givedemwotowoto:
Ernest Shonekan announced the transfer of power to Abacha in 1993. We learned later that he was basically announcing his own coup.

I heard what GEJ said but I have reason to believe otherwise especially since he was stating an opinion (what he thought). Plus, the military also made a statement that they seized power.

Exactly, when I first had the story of Ernest Shonekan handing over power to the military; I thought that's a bitch move.

too bad, very very bad indeed

Senegal should release Embalo to ECOWAS court for trial. Abi which kind fast one play be dis again. Deliberately handing over to military rather than retire home after it became clear you’ll be losing the election.

The man in Aso rock and the likes of W!cked W!ke will rather do this than handover in 2027 if they lose to someone like PO(this is why you here them confidently saying PO can never rule Nigeria) . No be everyone go be like Oga GEJ

saintopus:
Guinea Bissau coup more painful than losing election to Buhari – Jonathan






https://punchng.com/guinea-bissau-coup-more-painful-than-losing-election-to-buhari-jonathan/

Please take it easy with the sensational headlines, he never said the coup was more painful than loosing to Buhari

Nigeria is next.... democracy can't solve insecurities

Baba still never forget the election loss

Jonathan has moved ahead but the people of ipad, who have their leader eating beans in the arid lands of Sokoto, are still gnashing their teeth at the loss.

They are sore losers.

That's why they want to burn the country just because their lying machine, pitobi, came third in an election.

Breaking News: Even of Tinubu loses next election Obi will still be third. So go and calm down and be helping your sokoto leader to pick beans.

I knw Jonathan Wil never forgive Tinubu for 2015 elections.

All those smiling photo hubs are just for the media

Osebanjo:
Senegal should release Embalo to ECOWAS court for trial. Abi which kind fast one play be dis again. Deliberately handing over to military rather than retire home after it became clear you’ll be losing the election.

Aswear, the man na very wosky loser

McLizbae:
The thing really pain PGEJ... He has granted a very comprehensive talk about the whole event.
I guess this one really shock him, even after he'd tot he has seen it all.

Figures still dey after 99

That is what it called Palace coup sir and it is highly welcome and that was what that old man in Cameroon should have done and go and rest since Tciroma of a man is somehow consider to be Islamic pretending hardliner.

Quote me and say whatever sorry you are just wasting your data because it won't change me or mean anything to me so better don't waste it.

That is why he was a real failure for his people.
No notable project completed in both South South or South East for 6 years as president.

Shey they said the coup is fake...

Jonathan is yet to truly make peace with his defeat in 2015. Move on.

In short, Embalo planned the coup to remain in power?

The Man is a true Democrat.