Guinea-Bissau: Tinubu moves to secure opposition leader

Da Costa to be granted asylum in Nigerian Mission

From Aidoghie Paulinus, Abuja

President Bola Ahmed 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 Guinea-Bissau’s 23 November 2025 general election.
In a letter written by Foreign Affairs Minister, Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, dated 30 November 2025, Tinubu approved Da Costa’s hosting at the Nigerian Mission in Guinea-Bissau.

Tuggar stated: “I write to inform you that His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed 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 Mr Da Costa’s safety 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 sovereign will of the people of Guinea-Bissau.”

Tuggar further asked that ECOWAS Commission President kindly mandate the ECOWAS Stabilization Support Mission in Guinea-Bissau (ESSMGB) to provide Da Costa with additional protection and security while he is at the Nigerian Embassy.

“Please accept the assurances of my highest consideration,” Tuggar wrote.

Confirming the move, the Special Assistant on Media and Communications Strategy to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Alkasim Abdulkadir, said the Federal Government’s decision to grant asylum and protection to Da Costa fell 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.