Nigeria’s former President, Goodluck Jonathan, has addressed the media following his return from Guinea-Bissau.
The Port City News (TCPN) earlier reported that Jonathan, who was in the country during a military takeover, returned to Nigeria on Thursday afternoon.
Speaking with journalists on Friday, he thanked Nigerians for their empathy and encouragement. He added that while he was in Guinea-Bissau, he and his team were told that the whole country was agitated, both young and old.
“But irrespective of religious divides or political divides, I sincerely appreciate Nigerians. And I want them to hear directly from my mouth to appreciate their concern.”
Furthermore, Jonathan expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu, President Alassane Ouattara of Côte d’Ivoire, and President Umaro Sissoco Embaló of Guinea-Bissau.
Narrating how he and others were evacuated, Jonathan said: “Both presidents were to send aircraft to lift us. But somehow, Côte d’Ivoire is closer to Guinea-Bissau. And there is always some relationship between Francophone countries and the Lusophones who are among the Francophones.
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“They were able to penetrate their system to get landing permits, firstly from Nigeria. So the Ivorian aircraft was already on its way to pick us up. When we learnt that the Nigerian aircraft was about to leave, we asked them not to bother. That is why you can see that the picture was taken inside a Nigerian aircraft. So we thank the two presidents.”
The 68-year-old was in Guinea-Bissau as head of the West African Elders Forum Election Observation Mission to monitor the country’s presidential and legislative elections held last Sunday.
