Former Vice-President and presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has pledged to work towards restoring Niger Republic, Mali and Burkina Faso to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) if elected president in 2027.
Atiku made the commitment during an interview with Newsmen, where he outlined his proposed approach to regional diplomacy, national security and the economy while criticising several policies of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
The former vice-president argued that ECOWAS adopted an overly confrontational approach towards the three Sahelian countries following the military coups that brought juntas to power in Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso.
According to him, isolating the countries weakened regional cooperation and created deeper divisions between ECOWAS and the Sahel states.
He maintained that sustained dialogue, diplomatic engagement and collective security arrangements would provide a more effective path towards rebuilding relations.
Atiku said that, if elected, his administration would engage other ECOWAS leaders to reopen discussions with the three countries and explore measures that could facilitate their return to the regional bloc.
He also proposed the possible deployment of the Economic Community of West African States Monitoring Group (ECOMOG) as part of a broader regional strategy to strengthen security, restore stability and combat terrorism.
The ADC candidate further criticised the position taken by Nigeria during Tinubu’s tenure as ECOWAS chairman, particularly following the July 2023 military coup in Niger.
Atiku argued that Nigeria should have maintained closer diplomatic and economic engagement with Niger despite the change in government, stressing the longstanding cultural, economic and historical ties between the two countries.
Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso eventually withdrew from ECOWAS after the regional bloc imposed sanctions and threatened military intervention in Niger in an effort to reverse the military takeover and restore constitutional rule.
The three countries subsequently established the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), deepening their political, diplomatic and security cooperation outside the ECOWAS framework.
Atiku Promises One-Year Security Push
On Nigeria’s worsening security crisis, Atiku promised a major expansion of the country’s security architecture if elected, with a target of significantly improving the situation within his first year in office.
His proposed measures include increasing the number of security personnel, equipping them with modern tools and resources, and expanding employment opportunities for young Nigerians.
He linked unemployment and economic deprivation to the broader security challenge, arguing that creating jobs and providing young people with viable economic opportunities would form an important part of efforts to reduce crime, banditry and violent extremism.
Nigeria continues to face persistent security threats, including terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other forms of violent crime, particularly across parts of the North-East and North-West.
Atiku also emphasised the importance of regional cooperation, arguing that Nigeria cannot effectively confront cross-border terrorism and organised crime without closer collaboration with neighbouring West African countries.
Tinubu’s Economic Policies Under Fire
The ADC presidential candidate also took aim at the Tinubu administration’s economic policies, particularly the removal of the petrol subsidy.
He argued that the policy had contributed substantially to the rising cost of living and increased economic pressure on households across the country.
Atiku’s latest comments place regional diplomacy, security reform and economic relief at the centre of his emerging campaign agenda ahead of the 2027 presidential election, while positioning his proposed approach as a departure from some of the policies pursued by the current administration.
His pledge to rebuild relations between ECOWAS and the three Sahel countries could become a significant foreign-policy issue in the 2027 contest, particularly as the region continues to grapple with military rule, terrorism, economic instability and growing divisions within West Africa.
