Former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan has made a startling revelation about the recent military incident in Guinea-Bissau, declaring that what occurred was not a genuine coup but rather what he described as a 'ceremonial coup'.
Jonathan's Firsthand Account of the Incident
The former president, who recently returned to Nigeria after being trapped in the West African country during the political turmoil, provided detailed insights into the unusual sequence of events. According to Jonathan, President Umaro Embalo himself first announced the coup before any military declaration occurred.
Jonathan emphasized the peculiar nature of the situation, stating that it was President Embalo who initially informed media organizations about the coup and his subsequent arrest. This, according to the former Nigerian leader, contradicts standard military coup procedures that he has witnessed throughout his political career.
Unprecedented Behavior During Political Crisis
Drawing from his extensive experience in West African politics, Jonathan expressed skepticism about the authenticity of the coup. 'I'm a Nigerian close to 70, and I know how they keep heads of state when a coup takes place,' he stated during his revelation.
The former ECOWAS mediator referenced his recent involvement in Mali's political crisis, where he witnessed a genuine military takeover. He highlighted the stark contrast between that situation and the events in Guinea-Bissau, noting that in proper coups, overthrown presidents are not permitted to communicate with media outlets or announce their own arrests.
Jonathan pointedly questioned the credibility of the situation: 'The military doesn't take over the government, and the sitting President that they overthrow will be allowed to be addressing press conferences and announcing that he has been arrested. Where does this thing happen? Who is fooling whom?'
Background and Safe Return
The former president had traveled to Guinea-Bissau to monitor the country's presidential election when the military announced their takeover, temporarily trapping him in the nation. The Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs had earlier confirmed Jonathan's safety through spokesperson Kimiebi Ebienfa, providing reassurance to concerned Nigerians.
Jonathan's safe return to Nigeria marks the conclusion of what he characterizes as an unusual political spectacle rather than a genuine military overthrow. His unique perspective as both a former Nigerian president and experienced ECOWAS mediator lends significant weight to his assessment of the Guinea-Bissau situation.
