President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Saturday received former President Goodluck Jonathan at the Presidential Villa following Jonathan’s return from Guinea-Bissau, where he had led an election monitoring mission.
The meeting came amid public concerns over Jonathan’s safety after reports of tension and a military takeover in the West African country.
Presidential aide Bayo Onanuga, in a statement shared on his verified Facebook page on Saturday, said Jonathan briefed President Tinubu on his assignment in Guinea-Bissau and his safe return to Nigeria.
Onanuga wrote that Jonathan had travelled to Guinea-Bissau on an election observation mission and that speculation about his wellbeing had prompted reassurance upon his arrival.
He explained that President Tinubu welcomed Jonathan warmly at the Presidential Villa, adding that the former president looked “calm and in good spirit” after the trip.
Onanuga stated: “President Goodluck Jonathan returned to Nigeria today from Guinea-Bissau, where he went on an election monitoring mission. There had been concerns about his safety following the military takeover in the country, but he is back home safely.”
He added that Jonathan used the visit to brief President Tinubu on the political developments in Guinea-Bissau and the conduct of the electoral process he monitored.
The meeting between the two leaders is expected to further strengthen Nigeria’s diplomatic engagement in West Africa, especially amid heightened political instability in parts of the region.
