President Tinubu Approves Protection and Security for Guinea-Bissau Opposition Candidate, Fernando Dia Da Costa
By Raymond Enoch
Nigeria’s President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has approved protection and security arrangement for Guinea-Bissau opposition presidential candidate, Mr. Fernando Dia Da Costa, at the premises of the Nigerian Embassy in Bissau, following reported threats to his life after the 23rd November 2025 general elections.
In a formal communication to the President of the ECOWAS Commission, H.E. Omar Alieu Touray, Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, cited by Paradigm News International said President Tinubu graciously endorsed the request to host and secure Mr. Da Costa within the Nigerian mission.
According to the letter, the decision is a proactive measure aimed at ensuring the safety of the opposition candidate in the face of “imminent threats” to his life. Accommodating Mr. Da Costa at the Nigerian Embassy, the minister noted, reflects Nigeria’s firm commitment to safeguarding democratic aspirations and the sovereign will of the people of the Republic of Guinea-Bissau.
“In this regard, it would be appreciated if you would kindly mandate the ECOWAS Stabilization Support Mission in Guinea-Bissau (ESSMGB) to provide him protection and security while in the premises of the Nigerian Embassy,” the minister requested in the letter addressed to the ECOWAS Commission President.
The move places Nigeria once again at the centre of regional efforts to stabilise fragile democratic processes in West Africa, as Guinea-Bissau prepares for a crucial presidential election in November 2025.
Ambassador Tuggar concluded by assuring the ECOWAS Commission of Nigeria’s continued support for peace, security and democratic governance in Guinea-Bissau and across the sub-region.
In a further clarification of Nigeria’s position, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stressed that the decision of the Federal Government of Nigeria to grant asylum and provide protection to Mr. Fernando Dia Da Costa falls 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.
According to the Ministry, 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.
