2027: Atiku Promises To Bring Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso Back To ECOWAS
Former Vice-President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has pledged to work towards bringing Niger Republic, Mali and Burkina Faso back into the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) if elected president in 2027.
Atiku also said his administration would consider deploying the ECOWAS Monitoring Group (ECOMOG) to strengthen regional security and combat terrorism across West Africa.
The former vice-president made the commitments during an interview with the BBC Hausa Service, where he outlined his policy proposals and criticised some policies of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
Atiku argued that ECOWAS adopted the wrong approach by isolating Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso after military coups brought juntas to power in the three countries.
He said dialogue and stronger regional cooperation would have been more effective than isolating the countries.
“I will get the ECOWAS leaders to sit down and deliberate, and we will use ECOMOG troops to ensure peace,” Atiku said.
He also criticised Nigeria’s approach to Niger following the 2023 military coup, arguing that the coup should not have resulted in a breakdown in relations between the two neighbouring countries.
“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.
“Just because the military took over power does not mean Niger should be expelled from ECOWAS.
“I will ensure that there is understanding and that Niger, Burkina Faso and Mali return to ECOWAS,” he added.
Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso withdrew from ECOWAS after the regional bloc threatened military intervention in Niger following the 2023 coup and demanded the restoration of constitutional rule.
The three countries subsequently established the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), deepening their political, economic and security cooperation outside ECOWAS.
Atiku Promises To Tackle Insecurity
On Nigeria’s security challenges, Atiku promised to tackle insecurity within one year if elected president.
He said his administration would increase the number of security personnel, provide them with adequate equipment and create more employment opportunities for young Nigerians.
“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 continues to face challenges including insurgency, banditry, kidnapping and other forms of violent crime, particularly in the North-East and North-West.
Atiku said stronger regional cooperation among West African countries would also be crucial to addressing security threats affecting Nigeria and its neighbours.
Atiku Criticises Fuel Subsidy Removal
The ADC presidential candidate also criticised the removal of the petrol subsidy by the Tinubu administration, blaming the policy for worsening economic hardship in the country.
Although he acknowledged that subsidy reform could be necessary, Atiku argued that it should have been implemented gradually and after measures had been introduced to protect vulnerable Nigerians.
“People are suffering; there is poverty and unemployment. The removal of the fuel subsidy is the major cause of this.
“I have never seen Nigerians suffer as much as they are suffering at this time,” he said.
Atiku, however, noted that his position on fuel subsidy would ultimately depend on the state of the economy if he assumes office.
“Even if you are going to remove the fuel subsidy, you cannot do it at once. You must first improve the lives of the poor before you start removing it gradually,” he said.
President Tinubu announced the removal of the petrol subsidy shortly after his inauguration on May 29, 2023. The decision triggered a sharp increase in petrol prices, with transportation and other living costs also rising.
The Federal Government has maintained that funds previously spent on subsidy can instead be redirected towards infrastructure, social intervention programmes and other development initiatives.
Atiku, 79, is seeking the presidency for the sixth time. He previously contested the presidency in 2007, 2019 and 2023, while failing to secure his party’s presidential ticket in 2011 and 2015.
He served as vice-president under former President Olusegun Obasanjo from 1999 to 2007 and was initially elected governor of Adamawa State in 1999 before becoming Obasanjo’s running mate.
With the 2027 presidential election approaching, Atiku is expected to be among the major challengers to President Tinubu, who is seeking a second term.
Atiku also said his administration would consider deploying the ECOWAS Monitoring Group (ECOMOG) to strengthen regional security and combat terrorism across West Africa.
The former vice-president made the commitments during an interview with the BBC Hausa Service, where he outlined his policy proposals and criticised some policies of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
Atiku argued that ECOWAS adopted the wrong approach by isolating Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso after military coups brought juntas to power in the three countries.
He said dialogue and stronger regional cooperation would have been more effective than isolating the countries.
“I will get the ECOWAS leaders to sit down and deliberate, and we will use ECOMOG troops to ensure peace,” Atiku said.
He also criticised Nigeria’s approach to Niger following the 2023 military coup, arguing that the coup should not have resulted in a breakdown in relations between the two neighbouring countries.
“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.
“Just because the military took over power does not mean Niger should be expelled from ECOWAS.
“I will ensure that there is understanding and that Niger, Burkina Faso and Mali return to ECOWAS,” he added.
Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso withdrew from ECOWAS after the regional bloc threatened military intervention in Niger following the 2023 coup and demanded the restoration of constitutional rule.
The three countries subsequently established the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), deepening their political, economic and security cooperation outside ECOWAS.
Atiku Promises To Tackle Insecurity
On Nigeria’s security challenges, Atiku promised to tackle insecurity within one year if elected president.
He said his administration would increase the number of security personnel, provide them with adequate equipment and create more employment opportunities for young Nigerians.
“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 continues to face challenges including insurgency, banditry, kidnapping and other forms of violent crime, particularly in the North-East and North-West.
Atiku said stronger regional cooperation among West African countries would also be crucial to addressing security threats affecting Nigeria and its neighbours.
Atiku Criticises Fuel Subsidy Removal
The ADC presidential candidate also criticised the removal of the petrol subsidy by the Tinubu administration, blaming the policy for worsening economic hardship in the country.
Although he acknowledged that subsidy reform could be necessary, Atiku argued that it should have been implemented gradually and after measures had been introduced to protect vulnerable Nigerians.
“People are suffering; there is poverty and unemployment. The removal of the fuel subsidy is the major cause of this.
“I have never seen Nigerians suffer as much as they are suffering at this time,” he said.
Atiku, however, noted that his position on fuel subsidy would ultimately depend on the state of the economy if he assumes office.
“Even if you are going to remove the fuel subsidy, you cannot do it at once. You must first improve the lives of the poor before you start removing it gradually,” he said.
President Tinubu announced the removal of the petrol subsidy shortly after his inauguration on May 29, 2023. The decision triggered a sharp increase in petrol prices, with transportation and other living costs also rising.
The Federal Government has maintained that funds previously spent on subsidy can instead be redirected towards infrastructure, social intervention programmes and other development initiatives.
Atiku, 79, is seeking the presidency for the sixth time. He previously contested the presidency in 2007, 2019 and 2023, while failing to secure his party’s presidential ticket in 2011 and 2015.
He served as vice-president under former President Olusegun Obasanjo from 1999 to 2007 and was initially elected governor of Adamawa State in 1999 before becoming Obasanjo’s running mate.
With the 2027 presidential election approaching, Atiku is expected to be among the major challengers to President Tinubu, who is seeking a second term.
