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From Aidoghie Paulinus, Abuja
President Bola Tinubu has written to the President of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission, Alieu Omar Touray, requesting security and protection for Guinea-Bissau opposition leader, Fernando Dia Da Costa.
Da Costa was the presidential candidate in the November 23 general election in Guinea-Bissau.
Tinubu, in the letter written by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Maitama Tuggar on November 30, disclosed his approval for Da Costa to be hosted at the Nigerian Mission in Guinea-Bissau.
Tuggar said: “I write to inform you that President Bola Tinubu 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.
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“The decision to accommodate 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.”
Tuggar further said it would be appreciated if the ECOWAS Commission President would kindly mandate the ECOWAS Stabilisation Support Mission in Guinea-Bissau (ESSMGB) to provide Da Costa protection and security while in the premises of the Nigerian Embassy.
“Please, accept the assurances of my highest consideration,” Tuggar stated.
Confirming the development, the Special Assistant on Media and Communications Strategy to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Alkasim Abdulkadir, said the decision of the Federal Government to grant asylum and provide protection to Da Costa fell squarely within Nigeria’s sovereign responsibility and longstanding commitment to regional peace, stability and democratic governance.
“Acting in the broader interest of de-escalation, Nigeria exercised its lawful discretion to prevent further deterioration of tensions and to promote social cohesion in Guinea-Bissau and the wider West African sub-region. This intervention is guided solely by the imperatives of peace, human security and regional stability, in line with ECOWAS principles and Nigeria’s historic role as a stabilising force in West Africa,” Abdulkadir said.
