Nigeria Grants Asylum to Guinea-Bissau Opposition Candidate Amid Post-Election Turmoil

Nigeria has placed Guinea-Bissau’s opposition presidential contender Fernando Costa under special protection following warnings of serious threats to his life amid the country’s unfolding political crisis. Costa, the main challenger to President Umaro Embaló in the 23 November election, sought refuge just hours before results were expected, when the military abruptly seized power, halted the electoral process and enforced a nationwide curfew.

According to Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, President Bola Tinubu approved Costa’s accommodation inside the Nigerian Embassy in Bissau. In a letter to ECOWAS Commission President Omar Alieu Touray dated 30 November, Foreign Affairs Minister Yusuf Tuggar said the step was taken to prevent an escalation of tensions and to uphold democratic norms. The letter also urged ECOWAS to direct its Stabilisation Support Mission in Guinea-Bissau to provide additional security for Costa within the embassy compound.

Nigeria’s move comes amid growing regional criticism of the military takeover. Several West African governments have demanded a swift return to constitutional rule. At the same time, some political actors have accused Embaló of manipulating events to block the release of election results. Goodluck Jonathan, who led the West African Elders Forum observer mission, questioned Embaló’s early claim that he had been “arrested,” describing the episode as a “ceremonial coup.” Senegal’s Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko similarly dismissed the military action as a “sham” and called for the electoral commission to announce the winner without further delay.

Allied political groups backing Costa argue the takeover was a last-ditch effort by the president and his supporters to avoid an unfavorable outcome at the polls. Nigerian officials, however, say their intervention is strictly aimed at easing tensions. Alkasim Abdulkadir, spokesperson for the foreign affairs minister, said the protection granted to Costa reflects Nigeria’s commitment to regional peace, human security and stability, consistent with ECOWAS principles and its longstanding role as a stabilising force in West Africa.