THE House of Representatives, on Thursday, asked the Federal Government to explore diplomatic and every other measures to facilitate the safe return of former President Goodluck Jonathan who is trapped in Guinea Bissau following a coup in the country.
News Point Nigeria reports that the resolution followed the adoption of a motion of urgent national importance moved by the House Leader, Prof Julius Ihonvbere.
Ihonvbere informed the House that Jonathan who was in the country on election observation was trapped following the coup, saying, the government should explore ways of ensuring his safe return.
The Nigerian leader alongside hundreds of foreign observers were trapped on Wednesday after the military took over while result of the elections were about to be officially declared.
This newspaper understands that hundreds of foreign observers who raced to the airport in a bid to leave the country after the coup was announced are currently stranded.
A group of military officers claimed “total control” of the country, a day after two leading candidates – President Umaro Sissoco Embalo and Fernando Dias – each declared victory.
Calling themselves the “High Military Command for the Restoration of Order”, the officers ordered the immediate suspension of the electoral process “until further notice”.
They also ordered the closure of all land, air and sea borders and an overnight curfew.
“I have been deposed,” Embalo told French broadcaster France24 in a phone call, adding that he was “currently at the general staff headquarters”.
The head of the main opposition PAIGC party, Domingos Simoes Pereira, has also been arrested, Haque said. “As well, we’ve just heard that the military is trying to cut off the Internet. There’s a curfew in place.”
He added that the army officer leading the coup, Denis N’Canha, served as the head of the presidential guard.
