Atiku vows to return Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso to ECOWAS

Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has vowed to restore Niger Republic, Mali and Burkina Faso to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) should he secure victory in the 2027 presidential election. The presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) also suggested the potential use of the ECOWAS Monitoring Group (ECOMOG) to bolster regional security and combat terrorism.

During an interview with the BBC Hausa Service, Atiku criticised ECOWAS for isolating Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso following military takeovers in the three nations. He argued that the military interventions should not have resulted in a halt of diplomatic and regional ties with the countries. "I will get the ECOWAS leaders to sit down and deliberate, and we will use ECOMOG troops to ensure peace," Atiku stated.

Criticising President Bola Tinubu's administration, Atiku argued that Nigeria should continue engaging with Niger, given the shared heritage and identity between the two nations. Following the military coups, Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso withdrew from ECOWAS and formed the Alliance of Sahel States (AES). Atiku also promised to tackle Nigeria's security issues within a year of assuming office, vowing to augment security personnel, equip them and create employment opportunities for the youth.

Securing Nigeria's security has been a persistent challenge, with terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other violent crimes prevalent, especially in northern regions. Atiku highlighted the importance of regional cooperation in addressing Nigeria's security concerns. He also criticised the removal of the petrol subsidy by the Tinubu administration, stating that while the policy may be necessary, it should have been implemented gradually to safeguard the interests of the poor and vulnerable Nigerians.