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Guinea-Bissau Military Takeover Is ‘Ceremonial Coup’ – Jonathan
Former President Goodluck Jonathan has insisted that the recent military coup in Guinea-Bissau “was not a coup” and described it as “maybe a ceremonial coup.”
Gunfire had erupted around key government institutions in Bissau on Wednesday as soldiers claimed to have “total control” of the country.
President Umaro Sissoco Embaló also said he was arrested in his office at the presidential palace, sparking panic and prompting the military to impose a curfew, suspend the electoral process, close borders, and detain senior officials, including top military and interior ministry figures.
The Federal Government condemned the development as “a serious threat to democracy and regional stability,” and confirmed that Jonathan, who was in the country as head of the West African Elders Forum Election Observation Mission, was safely evacuated by a special flight alongside members of his delegation.
In an interview with Symfoni posted on YouTube on Friday, Jonathan said he was compelled to speak to the media to thank Nigerians for their concern during the crisis and to clarify the situation.
“You know, since I left office, I’ve always been scared of talking to the media. But in this particular case, I decided to speak… first and foremost, to thank Nigerians for the show of empathy, the encouragement,” he said.
He explained that during the so-called coup, Guinea-Bissau’s President, Embaló himself announced that he had been arrested before the military made any public declaration.
“I wouldn’t call it a coup. It was not a coup. I would just say, for want of a better word, maybe it was a ceremonial coup. Because for two things: It is the president, President Embaló, who announced the coup. Later, the military men came up to address the world that they were in charge of everywhere.
“Then Embaló had already announced the coup, which is strange. Not only announcing the coup, but Embaló, while the coup took place, was using his phone and addressing media organisations across the world that he had been arrested,” Jonathan said.
The former president expressed disbelief at the manner in which the incident unfolded, comparing it to other military takeovers in West Africa.
“I’m a Nigerian close to 70, and I know how they keep heads of state when a coup takes place. Recently, I was a mediator in Mali. And within that period, we had a military coup.
“The military doesn’t take over governments, and the sitting president that they overthrew would be allowed to be addressing press conferences and announcing that he has been arrested. Why does this happen? Who is fooling whom?” he asked.
Jonathan also called on ECOWAS and the African Union to ensure the timely announcement of election results, stressing that the military should not interfere with the democratic process.
“Basically, what happened in Guinea-Bissau is quite disturbing to me, who believes in democracy. They have the results because AU and ECOWAS officials were in all the regions when the results were collated. They cannot change those results.
“They should tally all those results and announce them. They cannot force the military out. They must announce and let the world know who won that election. Let the world know who won that election,” he said.
He further recalled his experience overseeing elections in Côte d’Ivoire, emphasising that election outcomes must be respected.
“A similar thing happened in Côte d’Ivoire when I was the Chair of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS. “When we had elections in Côte d’Ivoire in 2010, Laurent Gbagbo was the sitting president. In the first round, Gbagbo got forty-something per cent of the votes, and Alassane Ouattara got thirty-something per cent of the votes.
“And their law, you must get 50 per cent of the votes plus one, at least. Democracy is about the majority. You must get a simple majority to be the president, so they had to go for a second round.
“When they went for the second round, all those other candidates that lost now supported Ouattara, and Ouattara then got more votes than Gbagbo. And Gbagbo said he was not going, that he won the election, and that Ouattara and somebody who had something could not come and defeat him. But that is their law.
“Then all the observers in the international community said Ouattara won the election. And we in ECOWAS said, well, you are our colleague, but you have to go. If the observers, everybody, say Ouattara won the election, Ouattara must be sworn in as the president of Côte d’Ivoire. I stood my ground as the Chair of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS, and Ouattara was sworn in,” he said.
The immediate younger brother of Hon. Leo Ogor, Barr. Jay Ogor has officially declared his intention to contest as Senator for Delta South senatorial district in the forthcoming 2027 general elections.
Barr Jay Ogor made this declaration during his official consultation visit to Isoko Development Union (IDU) leadership headed by Prof. Chris Akpotu and some Isoko traditional rulers at Chief Iduh Amadhe Hall, Oleh.
The consultation visit which occured on the 16th of April attracted a mammoth crowd of IDU delegates, Clan PGs, including women and youth groups, has been the single-ethnic consultation so far in his 2027campaign.
While addressing the leadership of the IDU and traditional rulers, Barr. Jay Ogor, restated the message he first delivered at the NUJ, Warri chapel, where he, Ogor emphatically noted that, the Delta South senatorial district was vacant due to poor representation.
“As far as am concerned, the Delta South senatorial district is vacant” as he echoed his earlier declaration to the audience.
He noted that, his mission is rooted in inclusiveness and people driven-policy.
Barr. Jay Ogor observed that, one of the things millitating against the progress of Delta South senatorial district is lack of understanding and unity. He identify disunity as the greatest problem of the district.
“One of the major thing that bothers me most about Delta South is unity. We lack unity. We can not develop without unity”.
Barr. Jay Ogor, while speaking about the issues affecting Isoko Nation and entire Delta South senatorial district, he promised to adopt a different style of representation built on the tripod of accessibility and constant engagement with the people he represent.
“I want to say that, in my first 30 — 60 days in office, I will hold town hall meetings with the Ijaws, the Itsekiris, the Urhobos and you, my Isoko people, so that everyone will understand the unique challenges, we all face ” Barr. Ogor while criticizing the implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), he noted that the IOCs have taken advantage of it, while the Communities remains underdeveloped. ” I intend to correct this because I know how to go about it as a lawyer “.
On the issues of federal presence and empowerment, Barr. Jay Ogor promised to engage and attract federal presence to Delta South senatorial district with meaningful empowerment deals from federal agencies such as the ministry of women affairs, NELFUND, BOI, NNPC, NDDC, and many others for infrastructural development, especially in the areas of electricity distribution and noted that the current deficit in women and youths empowerment shall be redressed.
While still speaking, he used the medium to appeal to the media houses and traditional institutions to always as point of duty to vet aspirants first, noting that, if an aspirant does not have a good character, such aspirant should not be encouraged as he can not represent the collective interests and aspirations of the people.
The president -General of the Isoko Development Union World-wide, Prof. Chris Akpotu, while appreciating Barr. Jay Ogor consultation visit entourage for the recognition, he wished him success in his political journey, while reminding him and other aspirants that Isoko Nation expects more than promises, stressing that “actions are louder than words”.
Prof. Akpotu referenced the Union’s standing demand for greater involvement in “Oil and Gas” governance, infrastructure and resolution of Land disputes affecting the 19 Kingdoms —– from Uzere, Oleh, and OZORO to Irri, Ellu, Ofagbe, Okpe-Isoko, Emede, IGBIDE and others.
The Chairman of the Isoko traditional rulers council, HRM, (Barr.) Uvietobore Anthony Ogbogbo of OZORO Kingdom led other traditional rulers to pray for Barr. Jay Ogor, the prayer urged him to always remember home.
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INSULT! Boko Haram Faction Picks 68 Girls From Over 400 Captives For Distribution Among Fighters –Borno Group
A faction of Boko Haram, officially known as Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad (JAS), has reportedly selected 68 women from a group of 416 abducted victims, with plans to distribute them among its members.
The alarming disclosure was made on Thursday by the President of the Borno South Youth Alliance (BOSYA), Samaila Ibrahim Kaigama, who told SaharaReporters that he was directly contacted by one of the insurgents detailing their next line of action amid what they described as government inaction.
According to Kaigama, the contact occurred around 8:00 PM on April 23, when individuals identifying themselves as members of JAS reached out regarding the abducted Ngoshe victims.
“During the communication, they claimed that they have selected 68 women out of the reported 416 captives and intend to distribute them among their members, similar to previous abduction cases,” Kaigama said.
He added that the insurgents issued a threat, indicating that some of the captives could be harmed or killed based on their internal selection process.
The terrorists also indicated that between 50 and 60 individuals could be targeted for execution.
The development has heightened concerns over the fate of hundreds of women, children, and other vulnerable individuals still held by the insurgents in Borno State.
Kaigama described the situation as a grave humanitarian emergency, urging immediate intervention from Nigeria’s security architecture, including the National Security Adviser (NSA), the Department of State Services (DSS), and military authorities.
“Given the seriousness of these claims and the immediate danger to innocent lives, we strongly believe that all relevant security agencies should urgently become involved,” he said.
He called on authorities to deploy all lawful means to gather intelligence, verify the threats, and secure the safe release of the captives.
“This is beyond politics. This is a humanitarian emergency involving innocent citizens whose lives may depend on urgent intervention,” Kaigama stressed.
The BOSYA president reaffirmed the group’s commitment to advocating for the safe return of all abducted Southern Borno indigenes through lawful and peaceful means.
As at Thursday at least 12 of the victims had reportedly escaped captivity following a military offensive on the insurgents’ hideout.
Out of the 416 abducted persons, 404 are still believed to be in captivity.
A community source from Pulka said the escapees, 10 men and two women, regained freedom amid the chaos triggered by the bombardment.
Kaigama also confirmed the development, noting that the victims escaped on Wednesday and were safe
The presidency has said that opposition political parties are standing on a quick sand while President Bola Tinubu is standing solidly on the rock of competence.
Special Adviser to President Tinubu on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare, stated this on Sunday in an interview on Arise Television.
The presidential spokesman, who was reacting to the Ibadan declaration by the opposition to field one presidential candidate, described the summit as a collection of recycled politicians.
He said they are people who have been ministers, governors, and political actors for years, stressing that a closer look at their recent performances, whether in executive or legislative roles, there is little evidence of fresh thinking.
According to him, the individuals have nothing new to offer Nigerians.
He said, “They are free to field five, seven presidential candidates. But I said they’re standing on the sinking ground.
“That is the beauty of democracy. You have the opposition, you have individuals, political leaders decide on what they want to do.
“But that does not diminish the fact that there is a government in place that is functional, that has measured outcomes in what it has been doing. It does not take that away.”
SEE Black Market Dollar To Naira Exchange Rate Today 27th April 2026
2027: Ogor visits IDU, Monarchs, declares intention to contest Delta South senatorial district
INSULT! Boko Haram Faction Picks 68 Girls From Over 400 Captives For Distribution Among Fighters –Borno Group
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