The House of Representatives on Thursday urged the Federal Government to deploy diplomatic channels and all necessary measures to secure the safe return of former President Goodluck Jonathan, who is currently trapped in Guinea Bissau following a military takeover.
The call followed the adoption of a motion of urgent national importance moved by House Leader, Prof Julius Ihonvbere.
Moving the motion, Ihonvbere told lawmakers that Jonathan, who had travelled to the West African nation as part of an election observation mission, was caught up in the turmoil after soldiers seized power.
He stressed that government must act swiftly to guarantee the former President’s safety and extraction.
Jonathan, alongside hundreds of foreign observers, was stranded on Wednesday after the military halted the electoral process moments before the official announcement of results.
Daily Trust gathered that many of the international observers, who rushed to the airport in an attempt to flee the country, remain unable to leave following the closure of airspace.
A faction of the military has since claimed “total control” of the country, a day after leading contenders — President Umaro Sissoco Embalo and Fernando Dias — separately declared victory.