By Amofokhai Williams
Former President Goodluck Jonathan has explained why he returned to Nigeria aboard an Ivorian aircraft following his temporary confinement in Guinea-Bissau during the coup.
Speaking to journalists on arrival in Abuja on Saturday, Jonathan said he felt obliged to address Nigerians directly to “thank them for the show of empathy and encouragement” while he and his delegation were trapped in Bissau.
He noted that the situation generated nationwide concern.
“While we were in Bissau and this so-called coup happened, the information we got was that the whole country was agitated, young and old, irrespective of religious or political divides,” he said.
“I sincerely appreciate Nigerians, and I want them to hear directly from my mouth to appreciate their concern.”
Jonathan also expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu and Côte d’Ivoire’s President Alassane Ouattara, both of whom made arrangements to evacuate him from Guinea-Bissau.
According to him, the Ivorian aircraft arrived ahead of Nigeria’s because Côte d’Ivoire was able to secure a landing permit faster due to its regional proximity and longstanding diplomatic ties with Guinea-Bissau.
“Both presidents were to send aircraft to lift us, but somehow you know Côte d’Ivoire is closer to Guinea-Bissau, and there’s always some relationship between the Francophone countries and the Lusophones. They were able to penetrate their system to get a landing permit before Nigeria could do that,” he explained.
Jonathan said that once it became clear the Ivorian aircraft was already en route, he and his team advised Nigerian authorities not to proceed with their deployment.
“So when we learnt that the Nigerian aircraft was about leaving, we asked them not to bother. That is why, if you see the pictures, I was brought back by an Ivorian aircraft,” he said.
The former president reiterated his appreciation to both leaders and to Nigerians across the country.
“We thank the two presidents, President Ouattara and President Tinubu, and indeed thank Nigerians, young and old, for their concern,” he added.
