“I came this evening to brief the president on what happened. It is the tradition for former presidents involved in regional and continental issues to update the current administration,” Jonathan said. “The election was concluded—the results are known—and the key thing is that the winner of that election must be announced.”
Jonathan acknowledged the complexity of the situation, stressing that the military should not be forced out by violence. “They cannot kick out the military with force, otherwise people will die,” he said. He urged ECOWAS leaders to reach out and engage the military leadership, appealing to their sense of humanity and reason.
He called for the immediate release of the opposition figure detained by the military, noting, “The man has not committed any offense. He didn’t announce himself as winner of the election. If he had, they would say it was treasonable. So there was no reason to arrest him.”
Jonathan went on to say, “They should announce the results, and if the military agrees, the person who won the election should be inaugurated as president.”
Reflecting on the situation, Jonathan dismissed allegations of a “palace coup,” distinguishing it from more overt seizures of power.
“We know coups, real coups. Palace coups we know in Nigeria. This was not even a palace coup. I described it as a ceremonial coup conducted by the head of state himself.”
Expressing frustration with recurring instability in Africa, he declared, “We are tired of this in Africa. Every day there is a negative story.”
