2027: Atiku vows to bring Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso back to ECOWAS
By Ibrahim Hassan-Wuyo
Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has pledged to work towards returning Niger Republic, Mali and Burkina Faso to the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, if elected president in 2027.
Atiku, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, also said he would consider deploying the Economic Community of West African States Monitoring Group, ECOMOG, to strengthen regional security and combat terrorism.
He made the pledge in an interview with the BBC Hausa Service, where he outlined some of his proposed policies and criticised aspects of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
Atiku said Nigeria and other ECOWAS member states adopted the wrong approach towards the three Sahel countries following military coups that brought juntas to power.
According to him, the countries should not have been isolated because of the military takeovers.
“I will get the ECOWAS leaders to sit down and deliberate, and we will use ECOMOG troops to ensure peace,” he said.
Atiku blamed the deterioration in relations between ECOWAS and the three countries partly on the position taken by Tinubu, who was chairman of the regional bloc when Niger’s military seized power in 2023.
He said there was no justification for Nigeria to stop engaging with Niger because of the coup.
“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,” Atiku said.
The three countries withdrew from ECOWAS after the regional bloc threatened military intervention in Niger following the 2023 coup and demanded the restoration of constitutional rule.
They subsequently formed the Alliance of Sahel States, AES.
Atiku promises to tackle insecurity within one year
On Nigeria’s worsening security situation, Atiku pledged to tackle insecurity within one year if elected president.
He said his administration would increase the number of security personnel, equip them adequately and create 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 battle 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 be critical to addressing the security challenges.
Fuel subsidy removal
The ADC presidential candidate also criticised the removal of petrol subsidy by the Tinubu administration, saying the policy had contributed significantly to the economic hardship faced by Nigerians.
He said although subsidy reform might be necessary, it should be implemented gradually and only after measures had been put in place to cushion its impact on 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, clarified that his position on subsidy would depend on the state of the economy when he assumed 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.
Tinubu announced the removal of the petrol subsidy on May 29, 2023, shortly after his inauguration.
The policy triggered a sharp increase in petrol prices, with transportation and living costs also rising.
The Federal Government has defended the decision, arguing that funds previously spent on subsidy could be redirected towards infrastructure, social intervention programmes and other development needs.
Atiku’s sixth presidential bid
Atiku, 79, is seeking the presidency for the sixth time after five previous attempts.
He contested the presidency in 2007, 2019 and 2023, losing the general elections, while he was unsuccessful in securing his party’s presidential ticket in the 2011 and 2015 contests.
He emerged as the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, presidential candidate in 2019 and 2023 but lost to Muhammadu Buhari and Bola Tinubu respectively.
Atiku served as Vice-President under former President Olusegun Obasanjo from 1999 to 2007.
He was initially elected governor of Adamawa State in 1999 under the PDP but was subsequently selected as Obasanjo’s running mate.
He was also among prominent political figures associated with the formation of the PDP ahead of Nigeria’s return to democratic rule in 1999.
As the 2027 presidential election approaches, Atiku is expected to face Tinubu, who is seeking a second term, in another major contest for Nigeria’s presidency.
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