Former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan has made a safe return to Nigerian soil after being caught in the midst of a military coup in Guinea-Bissau. The statesman landed at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja on the evening of Thursday, November 27, 2025, concluding a period of uncertainty for the nation.
Urgent Diplomatic Intervention by the House of Representatives
The alarm over Jonathan's safety was raised during a plenary session of the House of Representatives on Thursday. The session, which had initially focused on economic hardships, was interrupted by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, who brought forward an urgent matter of national importance.
House Leader Julius Ihonvbere provided details, reminding his colleagues of Jonathan's extensive history of serving on international election observation missions for bodies like the African Union and ECOWAS. He confirmed that the former president was in Guinea-Bissau as part of a joint mission to monitor the presidential and legislative elections when the coup unfolded.
Ihonvbere stated, "While we are not here to debate the coup itself, the safety of Nigeria’s former president is a matter of national importance." He assured the house that the federal government was already aware and taking active steps to secure his return.
A Unanimous Call for Citizen Safety
The motion for government intervention received cross-party support. Minority Leader Kingsley Chinda emphasized that while Jonathan's safety was paramount, the government's duty extended to every Nigerian citizen affected by the unrest abroad.
Chinda powerfully argued, "The importance we attach to his life should also apply to every other Nigerian, whether at home or abroad." Following this, the House unanimously adopted the motion through a voice vote, urging intensified diplomatic efforts.
The Coup and Jonathan's Safe Extraction
The political crisis in Guinea-Bissau escalated on Wednesday when General Denis N’Canha, the head of the presidential military office, announced that a military command had taken control of the government. This development trapped the international delegation, including the former Nigerian leader.
Jonathan's return marks a successful diplomatic operation by the Nigerian government, responding to the legislature's call. His work in election monitoring has taken him to numerous countries, including:
- Zimbabwe
- Liberia
- Ghana
- Mozambique
- Pakistan
- Tanzania
- South Africa
His safe arrival in Abuja has brought relief across the nation, closing a tense chapter of international uncertainty for one of Nigeria's prominent figures.
