Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has promised to work towards the return of 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 ECOWAS Monitoring Group (ECOMOG) to strengthen regional security and combat terrorism.

He made the remarks during an interview with the BBC Hausa Service while outlining his plans for Nigeria and criticising some policies of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

According to Atiku, ECOWAS made a mistake by isolating Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso after military takeovers in the three countries.

He argued that the coups should not have resulted in the breakdown of 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 Nigeria’s approach under Tinubu, who was ECOWAS chairman when the military seized power in Niger in 2023.

“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,” he said.

Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso subsequently withdrew from ECOWAS following tensions over the bloc’s response to the military takeover in Niger and formed the Alliance of Sahel States (AES).

On Nigeria’s security challenges, Atiku promised to reduce insecurity within one year if elected, saying his administration would increase the number of security personnel, provide modern equipment and create jobs for young people.

“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.

He also criticised the removal of petrol subsidy by the Tinubu administration, arguing that the policy had worsened economic hardship.

Atiku said subsidy removal could be necessary but should have been implemented gradually, alongside measures to cushion the impact on poor and vulnerable Nigerians.

He added that his decision on the subsidy would depend on the prevailing economic situation if he is elected president.

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

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