Claim An X user, @honshield alleged that President Tinubu abandoned former President Goodluck Jonathan in Guinea-Bissau: a country under military siege at the time—because of politics Verdict: False Background Former President Goodluck Jonathan was in Guinea-Bissau in November 2025 as the head of the West African Elders Forum (WAEF) Election Observation Mission. His team was
Claim
An X user, @honshield alleged that President Tinubu abandoned former President Goodluck Jonathan in Guinea-Bissau: a country under military siege at the time—because of politics
Verdict: False
Background
Former President Goodluck Jonathan was in Guinea-Bissau in November 2025 as the head of the West African Elders Forum (WAEF) Election Observation Mission. His team was in the country to monitor its presidential and parliamentary elections and ensure the process was peaceful, transparent, and credible.
While the mission was ongoing, the military announced a coup, suspended the electoral process, and shut down the country’s borders. As reported, Jonathan and other observers were briefly unable to leave due to the sudden political upheaval.
He was later evacuated safely and returned to Nigeria.
Following his return, social media narratives went viral, suggesting that Jonathan had been abandoned in the crisis-hit country by President Tinubu.
The claim by @honshield at the time of this investigation had recorded 103,000 views, 1,600 likes, and 859 reposts, prompting NDRFacCheckt to verify its authenticity.
See the screenshot below:
Verification
NDRFactCheck looked for trustworthy, credible sources in established media to verify claims that the Nigerian government left Jonathan behind in Guinea-Bissau. However, no supporting evidence was found.
Multiple news platforms consistently reported that Jonathan returned safely and without harm.
Further investigation led to a video interview posted by Symfoni i on YouTube, in which Jonathan himself addressed the issue. He clarified that:
- Both President Tinubu of Nigeria and President Alassane Ouattara of the Ivory Coast had arranged aircraft to evacuate him.
- The Ivorian aircraft arrived first because Côte d’Ivoire, being closer and part of the Francophone bloc, was able to secure landing permits more quickly.
- The Nigerian aircraft was already preparing to depart, but Jonathan’s team told them not to proceed since the Ivorian aircraft was already en route.
In Jonathan’s words:
President Tinubu and President Ouattara both arranged for aircraft to facilitate our departure. Côte d’Ivoire was able to secure landing permits more swiftly than Nigeria, and its aircraft was already en route. Consequently, we advised the Nigerian aircraft not to proceed, and an Ivorian airline provided our transport.
Conclusion
Jonathan’s clarification debunks the social media claim. The Nigerian government did not abandon him. The viral post is false.
