Nigeria grants asylum to Guinea-Bissau Presidential candidate amid rising threats to life

Nigeria has stepped into a tense political moment in Guinea-Bissau, granting temporary asylum to opposition presidential hopeful Fernando Dia Da Costa, who is currently taking refuge inside the Nigerian Embassy in Bissau.

The move follows mounting security concerns and credible threats to his life as the country edges toward a fiercely contested presidential run-off.

The decision was formally conveyed in a letter dated November 30, 2025, issued by Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and addressed to the President of the ECOWAS Commission.

Confirming the development, Al-Kasím Abdulkadir, Media Aide to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, described Nigeria’s action as both lawful and in line with its long-standing diplomatic posture.

He explained that offering protection to Da Costa “falls squarely within Nigeria’s sovereign responsibility and its longstanding commitment to regional peace, stability, and democratic governance.”

According to Abdulkadir, the decision is not merely about shielding an individual candidate but about calming the political climate in Guinea-Bissau at a critical moment.

He noted that the intervention aims to ease rising tensions, foster social stability, and help prevent the kind of volatility that could spill across the West African region.

“This action is guided solely by the imperatives of peace, human security, and regional stability, in full alignment with ECOWAS principles and Nigeria’s historic role as a stabilising force in West Africa,” he said.

Da Costa, considered one of the frontrunners in the upcoming run-off later this month, remains under the protection of Nigerian authorities as diplomatic efforts intensify to ensure a peaceful electoral process in Guinea-Bissau.