Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has promised to work for the return of Niger Republic, Mali and Burkina Faso to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) if he wins the 2027 presidential election.
Atiku, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), also said he would consider using the ECOWAS Monitoring Group (ECOMOG) to improve regional security and fight terrorism.
He made the comments during an interview with the BBC Hausa Service while discussing his plans for Nigeria and criticising some policies of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
Atiku said ECOWAS made a mistake by isolating Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso after military officers took control of the three countries.
He argued that the military takeovers should not have ended diplomatic and regional engagement with the countries.
“I will get the ECOWAS leaders to sit down and deliberate, and we will use ECOMOG troops to ensure peace,” he said.
Atiku also criticised the approach taken by Nigeria under Tinubu, who was ECOWAS chairman when the military seized power in Niger in 2023.
According to him, “I don’t see why Nigeria should say it will not engage with Niger because there was a coup. Niger and Nigeria are one people.”
Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso later left ECOWAS after tensions over the bloc’s response to the military coup in Niger. The three countries subsequently established the Alliance of Sahel States (AES).
Atiku also promised to reduce insecurity in Nigeria within one year if elected president.
“What I will do is increase the number of security personnel and provide equipment, while giving young people jobs. We believe that within one year, God willing, we will address these problems,” he said.
Nigeria has continued to face serious security challenges, including terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other violent crimes, particularly in the northern parts of the country.
Atiku said cooperation between West African countries would also be important in dealing with the region’s security problems.
The ADC candidate further attacked the removal of the petrol subsidy by the Tinubu administration, blaming the policy for worsening the economic difficulties faced by Nigerians.
He said subsidy removal could be necessary but should have been carried out gradually, alongside measures to protect poor and vulnerable Nigerians.
Atiku added that his decision on the subsidy would depend on the economic situation if he eventually becomes president.