Jonathan Briefs Tinubu on West Africa’s Escalating Political Tensions

Former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan on Saturday paid a visit to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, where both leaders held a closed-door meeting focused on rising political tensions and deepening instability across West Africa

Jonathan, who has become one of the continent’s most prominent mediators, arrived at Aso Rock in the afternoon and was received by senior presidential aides before being ushered into Tinubu’s office. The visit comes as the former president continues his shuttle diplomacy across the region, leading election observation missions and conflict-resolution efforts on behalf of ECOWAS and the West African Elders Forum. According to credible sources within the Presidency, Jonathan’s mission was not ceremonial. He specifically visited to brief Tinubu — widely known as the Jagaban — on key issues arising from his recent assignments in several West African countries experiencing democratic strain, turbulent elections or military interference. Jonathan reportedly gave the President a detailed overview of volatile developments in the region, including the rising trend of political unrest, stalled democratic transitions, and the growing influence of armed groups operating along regional borders. He also shared insights from election monitoring duties where observers witnessed irregularities, security breaches and attempts to manipulate electoral outcomes. The meeting, described by insiders as cordial and strategic, highlighted the increasing need for Nigeria to reinforce its leadership role within the ECOWAS bloc. Jonathan was said to have stressed that Nigeria cannot remain passive as instability spreads across neighbouring states, warning that cross-border insecurity, arms trafficking and refugee movements could intensify if diplomatic interventions are not strengthened. Tinubu, sources said, welcomed Jonathan’s briefing and reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to defending democratic governance in the region while supporting peaceful, non-violent solutions to emerging crises. Both leaders expressed mutual concern about the rising fragility of constitutional rule across West Africa and agreed on the importance of sustained coordination between Nigeria’s political institutions and its former leaders. Although neither Jonathan nor the Presidency issued a public statement after the meeting, observers note that the encounter is a strong signal of unified national leadership at a moment when West Africa faces its most significant wave of political upheaval in recent years. Jonathan’s visit to Tinubu underscores ongoing efforts to consolidate Nigeria’s diplomatic influence as multiple countries in the region confront contested elections, military involvement in politics and governance breakdowns. The meeting closed with an understanding that Nigeria must remain vigilant and active in supporting stability across the subregion, with both leaders expected to continue consultations in the coming weeks as new developments emerge in neighbouring states.