Nigeria Seeks ECOWAS Support To Protect Guinea-Bissau Opposition Presidential Candidate Within Its Embassy
Nigeria has requested the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to provide additional protection and security for Mr. Fernando Dia Da Costa, a presidential candidate in Guinea-Bissau’s November 2025 general elections, within the premises of the Nigerian Embassy in Bissau.
In a letter to the President of the ECOWAS Commission, H.E. Omar Alieu Touray, Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, disclosed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu approved the move following reports of imminent threats to Da Costa’s life.
Tuggar described the decision as a proactive measure aimed at ensuring the candidate’s safety and reinforcing Nigeria’s commitment to safeguarding democratic processes in the region. He emphasized that accommodating Da Costa within the Nigerian Embassy demonstrates Nigeria’s dedication to supporting the sovereign will of the people of Guinea-Bissau.
The minister also appealed to ECOWAS to mandate the ECOWAS Stabilization Support Mission in Guinea-Bissau (ESSMGB) to provide security coverage for Da Costa while he is within the embassy compound.
Nigeria reaffirmed its readiness to work with ECOWAS in promoting peace, stability, and democratic values across West Africa.
EcowasPresident Bola Ahmed Tinubu
