Former President Jonathan Explains Why He Left Guinea Bissau on Ivorian Aircraft

 Former President Jonathan Explains Why He Left Guinea Bissau on Ivorian Aircraft

Former President Goodluck Jonathan has explained why he departed Guinea Bissau on a plane from Côte d’Ivoire instead of a Nigerian aircraft.

He expressed his gratitude to both President Bola Tinubu of Nigeria and President Alassane Ouattara of Côte d’Ivoire, saying, “I want to thank my President, President Tinubu, and the Ivorian President, Alassane Ouattara. Both presidents were to send aircraft to lift us.”

Jonathan explained that logistical and diplomatic considerations influenced the decision: “Côte d’Ivoire is closer to Guinea Bissau, and there’s a relationship between Francophone and Lusophone countries, which enabled Côte d’Ivoire to get a landing permit before Nigeria could.”

He added, “So we asked the Nigerian government not to bother since the Ivorian aircraft had already arrived,” clarifying that the decision was based on convenience and timing, rather than preference.